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Rudolph set to open up as McGrath takes a break
YORKSHIRE are considering changes to their batting order for the new County Championship season, with captain Anthony McGrath possibly dropping down to No 4 and Jacques Rudolph moving up to open the innings.
Director of professional cricket Martyn Moxon said the switch would allow McGrath – a regular at No 3 – more recovery time as he adjusts to his new role as full-time captain, while Rudolph's promotion would help strengthen the top of the line-up, where Yorkshire struggled desperately in 2008.
Rudolph, who normally bats at No 4, opened in two Championship fixtures last summer, scoring 155 in the first of those against Somerset at Taunton.
Moxon explained: "We're considering one or two changes and we've got several options going into the new season.
"I've talked with Anthony about him moving down to give him a bit more time to recover after we've fielded, although it's not totally decided at this stage, while Jacques could possibly open in the Championship, which we're also discussing.
"Both are key players and perfectly capable of adapting to different positions."
Rudolph could open in today's opening first-class fixture of the season, a three-day game against Cambridge University at Fenner's.
With Michael Vaughan unavailable owing to his appearance for MCC against Durham at Lord's, McGrath could stay at No 3 for the time being.
Adil Rashid and Tim Bresnan are also missing owing to MCC duty, while overseas signing Rana Naved-ul-Hasan has not yet arrived in England.
Lee Hodgson, 22, a Middlesbrough-born all-rounder recruited from Surrey during the close season, is poised to make his Yorkshire first-class debut.
Off-spinner Azeem Rafiq, who tweaked a knee during the pre-season friendly against Lancashire at Old Trafford, faces a fitness test.
Yorkshire (from): Rudolph, Sayers, McGrath, Gale, Lyth, Brophy, Hodgson, Wainwright, Shahzad, Patterson, Hoggard, Rafiq.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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