Gale leads the way in commitment as Yorkshire seal deals

The 26-year-old led Yorkshire to within one win of a first County Championship title for nine years in his maiden campaign as captain.

He struck 876 championship runs during the summer, captaining Yorkshire with maturity and distinction, and yesterday pledged his belief in the forward strides at Headingley by being one of 11 players to commit their futures to Yorkshire, with 10 of those contract renewals made by players under the age of 27.

Only Anthony McGrath, the former captain, is of the elder generation with the 35-year-old committing what could be the remainder of his career to his home county.

McGrath has penned a two-year extension, as has opening batsman Joe Sayers, 26, who will be keen to repay the county's loyalty after missing half of the 2010 season to concentrate fully on his recovery from Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome.

Tim Bresnan, 25, who flies out with the England squad for the Ashes on Friday, has matched Gale's commitment by agreeing to a further three years with the White Rose county.

Adam Lyth, 25, and Jonathan Bairstow, 21, who will join Gale in the England Performance squad this winter, have signed three-year deals along with Richard Pyrah, 27, Steve Patterson, 27, and Oliver Hannon-Dalby, 21.

Teenage bowler Moin Ashraf, 18, has been rewarded for his impressive form on breaking into the first-team with a first professional contract, while the club's academy player of the year Gurman Randhawa has agreed terms on his first pro deal.

Martyn Moxon, Yorkshire's director of professional cricket, said: "After a very promising season in 2010 we are all aware of the importance of keeping this exciting, young and talented group of players together.

"To have so many players committing their future to the club this early is excellent news."

Yorkshire have already re-signed former England bowler Ryan Sidebottom to strengthen their pace attack due to the anticipated absence of Bresnan and Ajmal Shahzad due to England duty next summer.