Weary Gale concedes limited-overs captaincy

Andrew Gale has relinquished the Yorkshire captaincy for all limited-overs cricket with immediate effect in the wake of a poor Twenty20 campaign which saw the county finish bottom of the North Group.

Gale, 31, who has missed the last three Royal London One-Day Cup matches because of a wrist injury, will continue to lead Yorkshire in the LV= Championship, but his continued presence in one-day cricket is far from guaranteed. Yorkshire's media release merely stated that he "will be available for selection for all other cricket as a batsman going forward."

Alex Lees has been given a short-term opportunity to prove himself in the role, but Yorkshire have delayed their decision about Gale's long-term successor as the transition, which had been seen as a growing possibility at the end of the season, took place sooner than expected.

Gale cut a frustrated, and somewhat exhausted, figure during Yorkshire's T20 campaign as the high-profile signing of Australians Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell failed to deliver expected results and the county's death bowling, in particular, became a glaring weakness.

"After nearly six seasons of being club captain across all formats, I now feel the time is right to step down as List A and T20 captain and solely concentrate on captaining the Championship team," Gale said.

"I feel it's beneficial for a fresh voice and new ideas in the shorter format of the game and with the current demands of the schedule I need to manage my body in preparation for Championship cricket. I still hope to play a large part in the club's future success with the bat in the shorter format.

"I've enjoyed every minute in leading the team: participating in the Champions League in South Africa was a highlight, along with reaching a One-Day semi-final. I would like to wish Alex Lees all the best in the short-term and whoever the club appoint in the long-term."

Director of cricket, Martyn Moxon, added: "Andrew has developed into an outstanding captain of Yorkshire. He leads from the front and is a very passionate and proud leader. To relinquish the captaincy of our one-day teams, therefore, has been a very difficult decision for him to make. However, the physical demands of the shorter format of cricket eventually take its toll and consequently affects the energy you require to lead the team in all formats.

"Andrew will continue to captain the side in the LV= County Championship and I believe this decision will enable him to fulfil this role for many years to come."