Proud Gale named Yorkshire captain
By Andrew Hunt ANDREW Gale is relishing the challenge of leading Yorkshire CCC after being named club captain.
Anthony McGrath stepped down last week and 26-year-old Gale was announced as his successor on Tuesday.
The left-handed batsman from Cleckheaton, who scored 1,600 runs in all competitions last season, is one of the youngest Yorkshire captains in history – Brian Sellars was also 26 when he took the job in 1933.
Dewsbury-born Gale said: "I am extremely proud to be made captain of my county and I am looking forward to the challenge.
"We have a young, developing side and I feel I can take them in the right direction.
"I am not saying we are going to win this or that this season but I would like to think in future years we will be challenging the likes of Durham and Nottinghamshire for honours."
The former Heckmondwike Grammar School student only turned 26 at the end of last month and will lead the Tykes in the County Championship, as well as the one day and Twenty20 competitions.
Gale has spent the last five weeks with the English Cricket Board's performance programme squad in South Africa, while he made his debut for the England Lions against Australia at Kent last summer.
Gale added: "We have 11 lads at Yorkshire who are representing England at various levels this winter, from the senior England team right down to the Under-19s.
"I have had a very good time in South Africa. It was extremely hard work and involved intense training but I feel I have come back a better player."
Taking over as captain caps a marvellous two years for Gale, who has been one of Yorkshire's most consistent batsmen.
Having scored 899 championship runs in 2008, Gale surpassed that last season, amassing 921 to be named Yorkshire's player-of-the-year.
Gale also has also signed a new three-year deal which will keep him at Yorkshire until the end of the 2012 season.
Although former East Bierley player McGrath has stepped down as captain, he will remain at Yorkshire next season and has given Gale his full backing, saying: "I am fully behind the decision to appoint Andrew. I think there is an exciting future for the side and success is not too far away. "
Yorkshire CCC vice-president Philip Akroyd said he had followed Gale's career since he played junior cricket in the Heavy Woollen District.
"Andrew has always been a candidate to captain Yorkshire one day," said Mr Akroyd. "He has grown in stature over the years and is respected by everyone at the club – respect is a big thing in cricket.
"I knew Andrew from when he took part in junior indoor nets at Whitcliffe Mount. He was never frightened to ask for help with his game but he has matured tremendously."
Another to have followed Gale's career closely is Cleckheaton cricket chairman Dave Worrall.
"Andrew made his Cleckheaton debut at the age of 14," said Mr Worrall. "It was the first time Rana (Naveed Ul-Hassan) had come as an overseas player for Lidget Green. We went there on an absolute minefield of a pitch.
"We bowled them out for about 80 but Rana went through our top order and Andrew came in at No6 with us 12-4. He smashed Rana to all parts of the ground and won us the game. It was then we thought he was something special.
"Andrew is thrilled to be appointed captain and everyone at Cleckheaton is very proud of him."
Gale played two games for Cleckheaton this year and he will again register for them next season.
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Weather for Cleckheaton
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -6 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -0 C to 1 C
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Wind direction: South west
