Lehmann expected to become next Yorkshire captain

It was not too long ago that Yorkshire maintained a strict policy that precluded players born outside the county appearing in the side. That policy was relaxed to allow overseas and certain other players to become Yorkshire cricketers, and now it looks as if the reigning CricInfo county champions are to go a stage further.

Darren Lehmann, the 31 year-old Australian who first played for the county in 1997, is expected to be named as the new captain in succession to David Byas who announced his retirement shortly after the title was secured. Lehmann has been unanimously nominated to take over by the county's cricket sub-committee.

He has considerable experience of captaincy with South Australia, and is expected to be confirmed in post with Yorkshire at a full committee meeting on November 28th.

He told the Yorkshire Post: "I have not yet been officially approached but I am aware of the situation and I will be delighted to accept the offer when it comes."