Andrew Gale to skipper Yorkshire

Yorkshire have appointed Andrew Gale as their new 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.

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.

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.