Andrew Gale won back-to-back Championships as Yorkshire captain. Now he is taking over as coach Sarah Ansell / © Getty Images
Andrew Gale, Yorkshire’s captain for their back-to-back Championship victories in 2014 and 2015, has been confirmed as the club’s new first XI coach, following Jason Gillespie’s decision to return home to his native Australia.
Gale, 32, made his first-class debut for Yorkshire in 2004, and captained the county in 98 matches from 2010 to 2016, when the club narrowly missed out on a hat-trick of County Championship titles following a thrilling title decider against Middlesex at Lord’s in September. In all Yorkshire won 40 and lost just 12 first-class matches under his leadership.
Gale has signed a three-year contract, which also signals the end of a playing career in which he scored 8217 first-class runs at 36.03, including 20 centuries and a highest score of 272 against Nottinghamshire at Scarborough in 2013.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be appointed the First XI coach of this great club,” said Gale. “I didn’t expect the opportunity to come as early as it has, but it is one that is too good to turn down.
“In taking up the role, I have ended a memorable playing career at Headingley, however, the challenge ahead is one that truly excites me.
“As First XI coach, I aim to continue the good work that has been done over the past five years with the excellent support staff that we have here.
“I have always believed in the group of players here at the club and in turn I have earned their respect. I will demand a lot from them to ensure that we maintain the high standards that we have come to expect at Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
“Ultimately, I cannot wait to roll my sleeves up and get stuck in.”
Martyn Moxon, Yorkshire’s director of cricket, is convinced that Gale offers the quality and continuity to enable Yorkshire to retain their position as one of the dominant county teams of the decade.
“We had 16 applicants for the job with some extremely good candidates in amongst that list,” said Moxon. “But at the end of the day, for what I believe we need, Galey was the obvious choice. He is highly qualified in the way that he has led the team as captain over the past seven years and has expertise that we didn’t want to lose at the club.
“I think the role now has got two parts to it. In the short-term, we need someone who can manage the first XI which is, in Championship cricket, a pretty senior group. I think it’s important that we keep that continuity within the group and protect the environment that we’ve created, one that has been so successful for us.
“The long-term vision is to ensure that we have someone who can oversee the natural transition that will occur as the senior players retire and the younger players take over in their places. It’s important that we have that continuity and I think that in Galey we’re ensuring that will be the case.
“It also gives him time to build up his coaching experience and knowledge alongside the other excellent coaches we have here at the club.”
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo