McGrath decides to stay at Yorkshire

Anthony McGrath will, after all, be wearing Yorkshire colours in 2007 © Getty Images

Just two days after Darren Gough's return as Yorkshire captain Anthony McGrath has performed a u-turn over his decision to leave the club and will now play for them in 2007 and Yorkshire are hopeful he'll see out his contract.

For much of the winter McGrath had made it clear he wouldn't be playing for Yorkshire again, but the club had refused to terminate his contract. The issue was due to go before a mediation panel at Lord's today, but that has now been cancelled after McGrath made up his own mind, which he admits was influenced by Gough's return to Headingley.

"I have known Goughy for years and regard him as a mate as well as a great cricketer," he said in a statement. "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 percent.

"The club has shared with him [Gough] their vision for the future of Yorkshire," added McGrath. "Having fully considered my position I have decided to withdraw from the mediation which was due to take place today. 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."

McGrath explained that despite the legal process his relationship with Yorkshire had stayed amicable throughout and that his heart remained with the club. Recent developments with player signings, including Jacques Rudolph, investment in the support staff and a pre-season trip also made McGrath believed the club had turned a corner.

The chief executive, Stewart Regan, is relieved about the outcome. "This is the piece of news that Yorkshire members and supporters have been waiting for. 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."

After a turbulent winter, which included Chris Adams' decision not to come to Yorkshire, Regan is now looking to the future. "We have worked hard to turn things around at Headingley 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.

"Most importantly we will create the right environment in which he can play cricket to the highest possible standard and be happy in so doing. This is a very good week for Yorkshire."