Yorkshire in safe hands

Anthony McGrath wants to lead from the front next year by scoring plenty of runs

Anthony McGrath believes his relaxed style of captaincy will bear fruit for Yorkshire next season after he was given the job on a permanent basis.

McGrath was named as Darren Gough's replacement yesterday, having deputised for him on a handful of occasions this summer.

Young players are coming up through the ranks at Yorkshire, as McGrath did himself, and he is keen to allow them to find their feet and perform in their usual manner.

“I think, from my experience, as captain you have got to try and put as much responsibility back on the players as you can,” he told ecb.co.uk. “You have got to give them the confidence to express themselves.

“I realise there are going to be times when you have to say the odd strong word as well, but I think I will be quite laidback as a captain and try to give the players their heads. I believe that can help us to be a successful side.”

The 33-year-old is known to have a cheeky sense of humour and he thinks that could go some way to ensuring harmony in the dressing room.

“I might have to be a little cleverer with my practical jokes and not do too many when I’m captain,” he admitted.

“But we have got quite a few young lads now and I am sure they will take up the mantle of being the practical joker.”

McGrath may not have time for jokes as he attempts to balance the captaincy with a benefit season as well as his own performances with both bat and ball.

“I think it is important that I lead from the front by scoring runs,” he confirmed. “I was a little bit disappointed by my return in the championship this season, and I am very aware of that.

“I think if I am doing well individually, I think that can help. Being a captain and leading by example is something I am aware of and something I will be working on when we start back.

“I think it is just about organising my time. I’ve got to have time for myself to practise, as well as team matters.

McGrath is keen to ensure he has enough time to practise

“I will work on that with (director of professional cricket) Martyn (Moxon) and the rest of the coaches to make sure that I have got enough practice time.”

McGrath made his Yorkshire debut under Moxon’s captaincy and has now come full circle after reaching the heights of captaincy himself under Moxon’s directorship.

“I suppose it is a little bit strange in some ways, but I have always got along well with Martyn,” he added.

“I respect him greatly as a player and also as a coach. I know what kind of character he is and I am looking forward to working with him on a full-time basis.”

It was Moxon’s return to the club in 2007, along with Gough, which persuaded McGrath to make a u-turn on his decision to leave Headingley, and the all-rounder admits that much has changed in those two years.

“I just think the club is in a much better state than it was,” he said. “Since Darren Gough and Martyn Moxon have come back, a lot of the younger players have had a chance.

“The club are doing a lot of good things off the pitch with the new stadium. The new sponsors we have got in have invested a lot into youth cricket and into our fitness and physio side.

“Darren brought back a bit of fun and excitement to the playing side and I think generally the place is a lot happier.”

McGrath was Gough’s vice-captain and many saw him as a natural successor to the role, but the man himself refused to get too carried away with all the speculation.

“Most people think that if you are vice-captain then the next step is obviously the captaincy,” he said.

“But you never take that for granted as a player because you don’t know which way the club is going to want to go.

“I am just delighted the club has given me the opportunity to be captain next season. I can’t wait to get started.”