Vaughan's role in helping Gale to storming start

Gale has led Yorkshire to the top of the County Championship First Division and to the summit of Group B of the Clydesdale Bank 40 League in an eight-match unbeaten start to the season.

Yorkshire appointed Vaughan in a consultancy role during the close-season to help mentor Gale and advise the club on overseas recruitment.

Gale, 26, insists the Ashes-winning leader has smoothed his path and provided valuable tips on the art of leadership.

"I speak to Vaughany about three or four times a week," said Gale, who became Yorkshire's youngest captain for 76 years when he was appointed to the job last December.

"He rings me every other night during a game just to have a chat about things and it's working really well.

"We talk about tactics, the way the game is going, or sometimes just about life in general.

"He gives his thoughts on how to manage things and he's great to talk to and a brilliant sounding board.

"Even if it's just a 10-minute chat about how I'm feeling, or something like that, I've found it extremely beneficial since taking over the captaincy."

Yorkshire chairman Colin Graves asked Vaughan to stay involved with the club after he retired from professional cricket last summer.

Vaughan is not expected to attend many of Yorkshire's games but is only too happy to pass on his thoughts to Gale and director of professional cricket Martyn Moxon.

Speaking after his appointment, Vaughan – currently commentating on the Twenty20 World Cup in Barbados for Test Match Special – said: "Colin Graves came to me and asked would I stay involved with the club.

"I said that it would be Martyn Moxon's decision as to what he wanted to do.

"Then Martyn came to me and said that he would love my input as a consultant, whether that be with the juniors through to the first team or whether it be with signing overseas players.

"He also had Andrew Gale as a new captain and wondered whether I could pass on some of my experience.

"They asked me to get involved in a small capacity and I'm delighted to help because I love Yorkshire cricket.

"As much as people reported that I left on a bitter note, I never left like that at all.

"I'm not going to be there that often, but I'll try to keep an eye on what's going on."

Gale has been one of Yorkshire's star performers as the county have made their best start to a season in recent memory.

The left-hander has scored 379 Championship runs at 63.16 and 170 one-day league runs at 85.00, fashioning three centuries along the way.

"I definitely think Vaughany has played a decent part in the way things have gone for the team this season," added Gale.

"Obviously, the results have been down to the lads on the field, but he has certainly helped in terms of my own personal development.

"He tells me to stay relaxed and be positive and there've been situations this season where I've kept the lads positive and he's installed that into me.

"The lads have all said how relaxed the environment is and that's very pleasing.

"As someone who is very passionate, I'm not really relaxed when it comes to my batting, but when it comes to captaincy and the team I've been quite relaxed.

"Speaking to Breezy (Tim Bresnan) and one or two senior players, they've been pleased that I've had a relaxing effect on the team.

"I know that shouting and bawling and showing too much emotion isn't going to get the best out of the lads.

"It's better to take the pressure off – that's how you get the best out of them.

"Vaughany was similar as a captain. I'm just trying to keep the players' feet on the ground and keep them relaxed."

FORMER Yorkshire stars Jim Love and Arnie Sidebottom are among a host of top names who will turn out in a special match in Hull on Sunday, July 11.

The duo are part of an Old England XI who will compete against a President's XI from Hull Zingari CC, who are celebrating 100 years at their home on Chanterlands Avenue North.

The Old England squad will be managed by former Sussex and England wicketkeeper Jim Parks and is also set to include John Lever, Derek Randall, Clive Radley, Neil Radford, Joey Benjamin, Monty Lynch, Jon Hardy, Neil Smith, Geoff Humpage and Roger Tolchard.

Tickets for the match (2pm start) are priced 5.

For further details contact Mike Ulyatt on 01482 657200.

YORKSHIRE scored 218-3 on a rain-hit opening day against Loughborough University at Headingley Carnegie.

Joe Root – one of three Yorkshire players making his first-class debut along with Callum Geldart and Moin Ashraf – was the first to fall, lbw to Gavin Baker for 14.

Gary Ballance made 43 from 55 deliveries before he was caught behind off Peter Groves.

Yorkshire slipped to 98-3 when Geldart was also caught behind after scoring 17 from 65 balls.

But the experienced hands of Gerard Brophy (62) and Richard Pyrah (65) steadied the ship as they added an unbroken 120 for the fourth wicket.