McGrath spent two years as Gough's understudy as Yorkshire captain
|
Anthony McGrath has been named captain of Yorkshire for the 2009 season, stepping up from vice-captain to succeed the retired Darren Gough.
The 33-year-old, who also captained his county for one season in 2003, will have Jacques Rudolph as his deputy.
"It is a massive honour to be named Yorkshire captain with the size and tradition of the club," McGrath said.
"It is one of the biggest honours in cricket and comes with responsibility on the field and as a role model."
Before relinquishing the captaincy five years ago to concentrate on his England career, McGrath led Yorkshire to fourth position in County Championship Division Two, just missing out on a promotion spot.
But Yorkshire also finished second-from-bottom in Division One of the National League (now the Pro40) and were relegated - while McGrath played just four Tests and 14 one-day internationals, and last represented England in September 2004.
"Being vice-captain for two years has meant that I've captained the side on a few occasions and I'm just glad the club have given me the chance to take up the role on a full-time basis," said McGrath, who stood in for Gough on five occasions last season.
 |
606: DEBATE
|
It is something I'm delighted with and very much looking forward to."
He had looked set to leave Headingley in early 2007 after a contract dispute, but eventually patched up his differences with the club following the appointments of Gough as captain and Martyn Moxon as director of cricket.
McGrath admitted when he stepped down in 2003 that he would like to give the captaincy another go and made no secret of his desire to lead Yorkshire next season.
He has already been granted a benefit year by the county for 2009.
Former South Africa batsman Rudolph said: "I'm looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead in 2009, where I will give Anthony all the support I can in what I hope will be a very successful season for the county."
Rudolph ended his international career in 2007 to join Yorkshire as a Kolpak (non-overseas) player.
|
~RS~a~RS~International~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~07~RS~){kind=small}
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~07~RS~)
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version
Bookmark with:
What are these?