Yorkshire turn to White

Yorkshire today announced Craig White as their new captain for next season. White, the former England allrounder, beat off competition from Matthew Wood and Richard Dawson for the post.

White, 34, made his Yorkshire debut in 1990, and now his international days are almost certainly behind him, he can concentrate on gaining promotion back to Division One.

David Byas, a former captain himself, returned to the county as coach last month, and with Darren Gough out of the picture, the experienced White was always thought to be the preferred choice. A report in today's Guardian correctly tipped White for the captaincy, saying it would be "a perfect time for a new challenge". It added, "As brother-in-law of the Australian Darren Lehmann, he can be sure of influential dressing-room support."

Lehmann, one of Yorkshire's overseas players for next season and the current South Australia captain, was overlooked. He was in charge when Yorkshire were relegated in 2002.

White will be Yorkshire's fourth captain in as many years. Byas led the team to the Championship title in 2001, and after Lehmann's disappointing season, Anthony McGrath could only hold on to the job for one summer.

Today was also the squad's first day of pre-season training at a snowy Headingley. Byas said: "The lads have been putting in the hours throughout the winter and I am pleased with what I have seen today."