Gale takes Yorkshire reins

Andrew Gale will take over as captain from Anthony McGrath, who has stood down in a bid to rediscover his form

Yorkshire have appointed Andrew Gale as their captain for next season.

The 26-year-old batsman was today unveiled as Yorkshire’s sixth captain in 10 years at a press conference at Headingley Carnegie, a day after Anthony McGrath confirmed he was to step down from the post to “concentrate on scoring runs again”.

Gale is tasked with leading England's most successful county out of a period of underachievement which has seen them narrowly avoid relegation from the LV= County Championship in three of the last four seasons.

“It’s a very proud day," Gale said. "Ever since I pulled a Yorkshire shirt on aged 10 I’ve dreamed of being Yorkshire captain.

"You don’t think twice about accepting a job like this and you only have to look at the great names that have done the job before me.

"When Martyn (Moxon, director of professional cricket) asked me I was over the moon and I’m really excited about leading the team in 2010.”

The Dewsbury-born left-hander was named Yorkshire player of the year in 2009, scoring 828 runs in the championship and 689 in the three limited-overs competitions.

He was also selected for higher honours, making his debut for England Lions against Australia in August and winning selection to the B category of this winter’s England Performance Programme.

Gale skippered the EPP side to victory over Nashua Titans in the final match of their tour to South Africa, which ended last week.

Moxon added: “I’m very pleased with our decision to appoint Andrew as captain. He is a talented cricketer with a good cricket brain and is extremely enthusiastic to do well.

"We will have a young side in 2010 and a young captain at the helm. Together they have the opportunity to gel as a team and really push this club forward over the next few years.

"While we cannot guarantee instant success, I believe we are developing a squad that will serve the county well in the future.”

McGrath, 34, was appointed Yorkshire captain for a second time in late 2008 following the retirement of Darren Gough.

The former England batsman made a bright start to last season, scoring a career-best 211 against Warwickshire, but failed to register a half-century in his last 19 championship innings as he concentrated on trying to preserve Yorkshire’s top-flight status.