McGrath in Yorkshire U-turn

Anthony McGrath has pledged his future to the county of his birth © Getty Images

Yorkshire have received another boost ahead of the season with the news that Anthony McGrath will stay at Headingley Carnegie.

The 31-year-old former England batsman has been involved in a long-running legal dispute with the club after they refused him permission to leave.

But this week’s appointment of Darren Gough as captain and Yorkshire’s ambitious plans convinced McGrath to remain with the county he has represented since childhood.

“I have known Goughy for years and regard him as a mate as well as a great cricketer,” McGrath said.

“He will breathe new life back into the dressing room and I know the lads will run through brick walls for him. I am really chuffed he is coming back and will back him 100 per cent.”

“The club have shared their vision for the future with me, they have added quality players to the squad, invested in the strength and conditioning staff and facilities, organised a pre-season tour to get the lads together and, most importantly, appointed a captain who I fully support.

Darren Gough's return helped persuade McGrath to stay

“My family and friends are all in this county and, if I am really honest, I could never have been comfortable leaving them behind.”

McGrath claimed the atmosphere in the dressing had become “unbearable” towards the end of last season, which saw Yorkshire avoid relegation from the Liverpool Victoria County Championship only on the final day of the campaign.

Though he has a clause in his contract which will allow to leave after the 2007 season, he believes brighter times lie ahead following Gough’s return and the signings of Pakistan’s Younis Khan, former Australia opener Matthew Elliott and South African Jacques Rudolph.

“During the last two months in particular I have been very reassured by the progress Yorkshire are making on the cricket side,” McGrath added.

“I want to remain as part of the Yorkshire team and do not want to leave only to then regret my decision as Yorkshire go from strength to strength.

“I am sorry for all of the uncertainty of the past few months but I want to put it all behind me now and focus on my cricket. Most of all I want to see Yorkshire having a great season in 2007.”

Stewart Regan fought hard to retain McGrath's services

Chief executive Stewart Regan could not contain his delight at McGrath’s decision to stay.

“This is the piece of news that Yorkshire members and supporters have been waiting for,” Regan said.

“We have said all along that Anthony was an important member of our squad and we were not prepared to simply let him walk away from a contract with three seasons to run.

“We have worked hard to turn things around at Headingley Carnegie and bring in some exciting players and we have proved to Anthony that we are ambitious and determined to bring success back to this club."

Yorkshire’s fortunes have improved considerably after a tumultuous winter.

Sussex skipper Chris Adams was installed as captain and director of professional cricket last November, only to make a dramatic u-turn two weeks later.

Coach David Byas left after being offered a reduced role with the Academy, 2nd XI coach Richard Blakey was sacked, Darren Lehmann retired from county cricket and Michael Lumb joined Hampshire.

McGrath will join up with the rest of the playing squad when they report for pre-season training next Thursday.