New Yorkshire leadership team of Andrew Gale and Gary Ballance tipped to prosper

CONTINUITY will be the key to Yorkshire's success in 2017, insists opening batsman Adam Lyth.
OPTIMISTIC: 
Yorkshire's Adam Lyth. 
Picture: Jonathan GawthorpeOPTIMISTIC: 
Yorkshire's Adam Lyth. 
Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe
OPTIMISTIC: Yorkshire's Adam Lyth. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

The prolific left-hander is delighted that the club have appointed from within as Andrew Gale and Gary Ballance take on the coach and captain’s positions this coming season.

Despite admitting he was surprised when Gale retired and stepped into the coaching role, Lyth admits he’s delighted with the move.

“Both Galey and Gaz will be great appointments,” said Lyth.

Yorkshire captain, Gary Ballance. Picture: Tony JohnsonYorkshire captain, Gary Ballance. Picture: Tony Johnson
Yorkshire captain, Gary Ballance. Picture: Tony Johnson
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“I was a little surprised when Galey retired to take up the coaching role, but it makes sense to me.

“He said he’d fallen out of love with the sport a bit at times last season, and you can already see that he’s got the hunger back and smile on his face.

“Him and Jason Gillespie worked very closely together over the last few years, so I’m sure he’ll have picked an awful lot up in that time.

“I don’t know how much will change. I’m really pleased he’s been given this opportunity by the club and I can only see it being a success.”

Yorkshire captain, Gary Ballance. Picture: Tony JohnsonYorkshire captain, Gary Ballance. Picture: Tony Johnson
Yorkshire captain, Gary Ballance. Picture: Tony Johnson
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The Whitby man is also delighted that Ballance will be leading the side out this season.

“Gary is a great appointment as captain,” added Lyth.

“Things didn’t quite go according to plan for him with England, but I can only see him being a success as captain.

“Gary has a great cricket brain, and Galey would quite often go to him for advice, so I’m sure he’ll do a great job.”

The team and personal objectives for the 2017 campaign are clear for Lyth, who admits he still harbours ambitions for a recall to the England Test side.

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“We need to win silverware,” he added. “I’ll be disappointed if we don’t do that this season.

“We have had a few good seasons now, despite being pipped to the Championship by a very strong Middlesex side last year.”

On his chances of a Test recall, Lyth added: “I didn’t do myself justice with England at all,” admits Lyth.

“I absolutely still have ambitions to play for England I definitely still believe that I’m good enough to do just that as well.

“Obviously (Haseeb) Hameed and (Keaton) Jennings are at the front of the queue right now so I have to be patient, score hundreds and matchwinning runs for Yorkshire and just see what happens.”