Underdogs tag inspires Yorkshire

The nation's bookmakers have written off Yorkshire ahead of today's opening match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

William Hill make Yorkshire 3-1 favourites to finish bottom of Division One, while Ladbrokes and Corals make them joint-favourites to finish bottom along with Essex.

But as Gale prepares to lead Yorkshire for the first time in a competitive game after being appointed captain last December, he believes such gloomy forecasts are wide of the mark. The 26-year-old said they would only inspire his young side to upset the form book and prove they are not the whipping boys that some believe.

"Probably the best thing that could have happened to us is that we go into the new season as underdogs with people writing us off," said Gale. "Because, if anything, that will only inspire us.

"These lads are fighters and, although we will walk out as underdogs on the first day of the season, we firmly believe we can challenge for honours.

"It's not going to be easy, but, if we can get off to a good start in the first month of the campaign, who knows?"

Gale – Yorkshire's youngest captain since Brian Sellers in 1933 – said it would be the proudest moment of his life when he leads the side at Edgbaston.

"To captain Yorkshire is something I've always dreamed of since I was a young lad, so this will be a dream come true," he said. "Quite simply, it's a massive honour and a tremendous privilege.

"No one knows what lies ahead during the next six months but I can definitely promise people my team will be giving their all for the White Rose and that we'll always play with pride and passion.

"Those are the ingredients I've always tried to cultivate as a player and that's what I want from the other 10 individuals on the pitch."

Gale, who replaced former England all-rounder Anthony McGrath at the helm after Yorkshire narrowly avoided relegation last year, is also pledging an attacking strategy. Last summer, the Championship was blighted by bore draws, with 12 of Yorkshire's 16 fixtures ending in stalemate.

But with 16 points for a win this year instead of 14 – and only three points for a draw instead of four – there is more incentive to go for broke.

"We'll definitely be fighting hard for wins," pledged Gale. "The new points system gives us extra motivation in that regard and I'm the type of captain who will always chance my arm.

"Sometimes it goes wrong and you're left with egg on your face, but that's just the way it goes.

"Other times it comes off and getting a win these days can be the equivalent, points-wise, of getting four or five draws, so it definitely makes sense to try to be positive."

Gale took charge for the first time on the pre-season tour of Barbados and said the players responded well to his leadership style.

"The lads bonded well and bought into the fact I'm trying to develop a strong team ethic," he said. "They also responded when I told them it's non-negotiable we're one of the fittest sides in the country. We're not doing more fitness work than before necessarily, but we're trying to make the sessions harder and more specific.

"On a personal level the two weeks in Barbados gave me great experience of captaining the team and it was also good to have a look at a couple of the younger lads to see where we're at."

One of Gale's biggest challenges this year will be to ensure he does not neglect his own form. A relative novice himself in first-class terms, having played only 47 games, Gale broke into the England Lions' set-up last year and captained them on their recent tour of the United Arab Emirates, suggesting he has been earmarked for international honours.

"It's very important I score runs this season and lead by example," he said. "That way you get the respect of the players.

"I really want to focus on getting some good scores on the board during the first few weeks of the season because I feel it's important to hit the ground running. I was striking the ball well in Barbados and managed to make some good contributions, so hopefully I can take that form into the new campaign."

Ajmal Shahzad and David Wainwright were awarded their Yorkshire caps at yesterday's annual opening lunch at Headingley Carnegie.