Gough to turn Yorkshire around

Darren Gough is keen to flex his muscles where Yorkshire County Cricket Club is concerned

Darren Gough believes he can help restore the Yorkshire glory days after making a surprise return to his home county as captain.

The 36-year-old veteran fast bowler was unveiled as Yorkshire’s new skipper on Wednesday, three years after he left the club for Essex.

Gough's appointment is seen as the jolt of good news the club needs after a turbulent winter off the field.

The club were embarrassed when Sussex's Chris Adams accepted but then declined the captaincy, have been embroiled in a contract dispute with Anthony McGrath and are still to name a new director of cricket.

On the field, the team only survived relegation in the County Championship in the last game of the season but Gough is confident he can spearhead a revival.

Gough, who has signed a two-year contract with a 12-month exit option, said: “Hopefully by the time I leave here, whether it be two or three years, we have got the structure to go on and win trophies like we used to years ago.

“I'm prepared to take the long road to get it. I’m not looking for a quick fix. I am looking for things to help this club for the next five, 10, 20 years.

Despite media speculation, Gough was left out of the World Cup © Getty Images

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“I want to bring back that enjoyment that everyone associates with Yorkshire County Cricket Club.”

The move could reinvigorate Gough’s career after his international ambitions were effectively ended by his omission from England’s World Cup squad.

Gough had harboured hopes of travelling to the Caribbean and has revealed he was even sounded out despite being left out of the initial 30-man squad for the tournament.

Gough’s fitness had initially been deemed to be an issue but England’s dismal form early in the recent Commonwealth Bank Series in Australia brought him back into the reckoning.

“I was very disappointed to be left out,” said Gough, England’s leading one-day wicket-taker with 235 victims.

“The reasons that were given, that I failed a fitness test, were out of order and were totally false. An apology followed.

“But then I got the phone call – which I have denied until today – that they had asked to go outside of the 30.

“I was told I was just about there, in the England squad, but England then won the last four matches and things soon got changed. So I just missed out.

“I wish I was there but I wish England all the best. I think they have got some good players.”