Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale is hoping to follow in the footsteps of former Tyke Michael Vaughan.
Yorkshire skipper hoping to emulate Vaughan's success
Newly-appointed Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale is hoping to follow in the footsteps of former Tyke Michael Vaughan by establishing himself at Test level.
The 26-year-old recently became Yorkshire's youngest captain for more than 75 years when he took over from Anthony McGrath, while he also led England Lions in the United Arab Emirates this winter.
Gale enjoyed a breakthrough summer with the bat last season and will be hoping the added responsibility of captaining his home county does not affect his form.
In an attempt to negotiate both roles ahead of the new domestic season, the talented left-hander revealed how he has adopted former England and Yorkshire captain Vaughan as a mentor.
Helpful
"Michael is someone I've admired as a player and captain, especially being a Yorkshireman as well, so I've spoken to him throughout the winter and it seemed to fit that he'd come on board and help me in a mentoring role," said Gale.
"Michael's record speaks for itself and to call on someone like that to be on the end of the phone or just to sit down for a coffee at stages during the season will be really helpful.
"For me to get in the England side, I know what I've got to do. I've got to come back to Yorkshire, score my runs and keep knocking on the door."
Gale will captain Yorkshire for the first time in a competitive match when they open their LV= County Championship campaign against Warwickshire, and he feels his England Lions experience will stand him in good stead.
"It's a massive honour, especially next week leading the side out at Warwickshire for the first Championship game," he said.
"Since I was 10 years old, when I first played for Yorkshire, I always dreamed of leading the side out and it will be a very proud moment for me.
Improved
"Leading the England Lions side did give me some good experience for the Yorkshire job. It's a job I enjoyed doing and we were quite successful out there, winning the Twenty20 series against Pakistan A and also beating the England side."
Yorkshire director of professional cricket Martyn Moxon is in no doubt he has the right man for the job.
"Andrew's batting has improved year on year and he's grown in stature as a player," said Moxon.
"It will be a challenge for him taking over the captaincy here but one that's he's looking forward to and I think will thrive on.
"Reports when he captained the Lions were good so he made a favourable impression on them out there and he's made a good start with us as well so I'm sure he'll go from strength to strength."
