ANTHONY McGRATH TO BE VICE-CAPTAIN

ANTHONY McGRATH
By JMB
March 14 2007

Yorkshire County Cricket Club have announced that Anthony McGrath will be Darren Gough's second in command in 2007. The experienced middle order batsman, who was on the verge of leaving the club this winter will take charge of the side when Gough is rested.

McGrath accepted the offer of the vice-captaincy following a meeting with the new Director of Professional Cricket, Martyn Moxon and club captain, Darren Gough.

Moxon commented: “This is another very positive piece of news for Yorkshire cricket fans. We have had an excellent first week back for pre-season training and the atmosphere has been tremendous. The lads are all looking forward to playing cricket again and having a fired-up Anthony McGrath as Vice-Captain will go down very well in the dressing room. Although Darren (Gough) is keen to play in every match, there will be times when we will need cover for him and Anthony has the necessary experience for this role”.

Anthony McGrath said: “It is great to be back in training with the lads and it feels like a different place. I have thought long and hard about Darren’s offer of the Vice-Captaincy position and how it might be received by everyone else at the Club with everything that has gone on over the past few months. However, it has been a great first week back. I’m very impressed with what Martyn and Darren have had to say and I’ve told them that I would be honoured to accept the role. I’m looking forward to the season now and just concentrating on my cricket again”.

The Yorkshire team will spend another week at Headingley Carnegie before heading off to La Manga on 26th March for 5 days as part of their pre-season preparation.