was weary, but very proud. I started by asking him how he had enjoyed the day.

 

When you left three years ago you can’t have imagined coming back as captain. How has today been for you?

 

Yeah you could say that it’s been pretty busy. When I came back to play against Yorkshire I had a great game. I got 5 wickets and got 90 odd with the bat. So I had a great game but there was something in there saying should I have been playing for Yorkshire. It never left and when I got the opportunity to come back as captain it was something I couldn’t turn down. It was quite obvious I’d not signed my contract with Essex. I was thinking about whether to carry on playing and going to the other side of stuff, TV and stuff and other things. Obviously the opportunity to captain was a big opportunity and I couldn’t turn it down.

 

Would you have come back to the club without the captaincy – if you’d been offered a good deal as a player would you have considered that?

 

Probably not – they never asked for that. The first conversation I had was as captain / director of cricket – the same role Chris Adams turned down. That role wasn’t something I was interested in. I was interested in coming as a captain and a player not as someone to run the whole show as that’s too much for anyone to do. I’ll have my responsibility as captain. I’ll be in charge of picking the side, that’ll be my responsibility and that’s all I ask. I want to be able to pick the players I want to take out on the field with me, rather than someone pick it who is the coach. I believe that the captain should pick the side. He’s the one who goes out on the field with them. The coach does the coaching and is in charge of all the coaches and the captain picks the side.

 

I get the impression that the club know who the Director of Professional Cricket will be and it’s just a case of sorting a few things out before they announce it.

 

Yeah, I agree totally with the selection. A few names have been bandied around. I know who the club want and I agree totally with the person they’ve got in mind. They just need to sort a few things out like you say and hopefully that can be announced as soon as possible.

 

And presumably whoever that person is has been involved in talking with you and the club about how everything will work?

 

Yeah, we know each other. We spoken on a number of occasions, not always about the Yorkshire job, but we’ve known each other a while. If it comes off it will be brilliant for Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

 

As far as Essex is concerned, I know from watching Yorkshire players leave there are very rarely proper goodbyes. If you could say something to the fans there what would it be?

 

I think everyone knows at Essex that I’ve had three terrific years there. The one thing about me was when I left Yorkshire I never once slagged it off. A lot of ex-players slag their former county off. I never once did that. I believe in respect and passion and never did that. I went to Essex and had a terrific three years and I couldn’t lie whatsoever. The supporters have been magnificent. When I missed a game they understood when I missed it that it was for the good of the club and me so I was right for the next game. They were supportive, Ronnie Irani and Graham Gooch were excellent and I couldn’t say one bad thing about Essex. I loved the last three years there and this is the only thing that could have tempted me – to go back to Yorkshire.

 

When you lead the Yorkshire side out at The Oval and then at Headingley a few days later, will that be one of your proudest moments in cricket?

 

Yes, definitely. I’ve captained Essex but to captain Yorkshire’s a different thing. For me it’s like captaining your country so for me it will be a very proud day and it will be proud for every single person in my team. In pre-season we’ll have lots of fun and lots of hard work. I can have a good look at some of the players. I’ve not seen some of them for years. It will be nice to get to look at them.

 

I interviewed Steve Patterson the other day and he talked about his early days at the Academy when he watched you and the likes of Chris Silverwood bowling and wondered whether he was ever going to be as good as you.

 

Yeah I saw it. Poor lad he’s had to give his number up as he took my number 8. He’s given me it back - well he didn’t have a choice really (laughs). No, I never asked for it, he just gave it back as that’s where I belong. That’s my number. He was proud to have it for a while, but I think he’s got to pick a new number.

 

From polls and discussion we put on The Corridor when it first became apparent that the club were talking to you it seems the vast majority of fans (75%) were excited about have you back. A quarter of fans had reservations, some of them having long memories and holding grudges about your exit from the club and the Gough OBE (Only Bowls for England) type stuff - what would you say to people that held that attitude?

 

I was in exactly the same situation then as Michael Vaughan and Matthew Hoggard are in now.  Unfortunately, you have to accept that this is the way that the cricket world has gone. When people play for their country they are not available and are simply England players and when they are available to get some practice they can play for Yorkshire. That’s how it happens. I can understand that Yorkshire supporters are passionate. Some of them have got to meet me halfway and understand why that happened. I’m 36, I’m not a spring chicken anymore and I’m not going to be bowling 97 mile an hour inswinging Yorkers either, but I know what I’m doing. I can still do a job. I was on the verge of England selection this winter so I’m not a bad bowler and I got runs last year. I’m here to captain the side, bring some enjoyment and passion back and instil that in our youngsters. That’s my job. It’s kind of a coaching role, but obviously playing and without the title.

 

There are a lot of young bowlers around. Tim Bresnan’s had a sniff of the England setup, there’s Steve Patterson and a whole host of young seamers coming through. You’ll be working with them?

 

Yes, of course I will. We’ve got an excellent bowling coach in Steve Oldham. There are no worries there - I’ve been learning off him my entire career. Hopefully I can carry on doing that. When he’s not available, with the 2^nd Team or with the Academy I will be there to lend my experience. Between me and Dizzy Gillespie you couldn’t ask for more experience. I think it can be an excellent thing between us.

 

You’ve had a bit of experience as a captain with Essex, but being the outright captain will be new to you. You’ve always had an image of being one of the lads and a good guy to have in the dressing room. How will you maintain that and still have the distance from the players that you might need in a position of authority?

 

Because people will know my personality - the players know what I’m like. You have to remember that they’ve known me since they were kids. They know when they’ve crossed the line. They know I’m very passionate and if anybody dips below the required standard I’ll be the first on their back and they all know that. That’s why I’ve got on with everyone as a player, because when I lose it they know about it and they know I’m upset. I don’t believe in rules and never have. I believe in self discipline and that’s what I’ll be trying to get back. People have to be responsible for themselves - they shouldn’t have to be told that they shouldn’t be late, or told that they’ve got to do this or that, it’s about self discipline. That’s what I’ve always had in my career.

 

You are professional sportsmen aren’t you and should know how to behave and look after yourselves?

 

Yeah, you don’t need rules. That’s been a disappointing thing. I know over the last 3 or 4 years at Yorkshire people think they have to do this rule thing where you set out all of the rules. That for me can go out the window. I’m going to be totally opposite and we’ll start again with self discipline, self belief and a belief that we can go out and win every game we play.

 

Sometimes if you treat people like kids they act like kids don’t they?

 

Exactly and that’s what I’m trying to get rid of and give people certain responsibilities. Sometimes people need a kick up the arse, but all that requires is responsibility and putting it in their court. It’s their career and if they want it to go forward let’s see some discipline and self respect and that’s what it’s about for me.

 

The recent Yorkshire one day performances have disappointed supporters.

 

Yeah I think Yorkshire have been disappointing in one day cricket. I think it needs a game plan. I’ve won two one day competitions with Essex and have had a big part to play in that, opening the bowling, bowling well at the death. We’ve got to work out our best line-up, who’s going to bat where, whether we are going to do things differently, improve our fielding. Basically everything’s there, but we need to workout our gameplan. I’ve not been part of it, but I don’t think we’ve had that. I’m looking at the way Essex play, the way Sussex play their one day cricket and Yorkshire can learn off them and develop a method to win.

 

You’ve been a pinch hitter at Essex - would you do similar at Yorkshire?

 

I don’t know yet. We’ve got some good young players who could do that role. If it needs me I won’t be afraid to do it and I did well last year, I averaged 45 in one day cricket so I could do a decent job. We’ll have a look at the situation and see if it needs it. It will depend on who is going to open the batting in one day cricket. It’s a bit more difficult, our batting order in the one-dayers compared to four-dayers. Everybody has got a clean slate. When I come in I’ll have a look at some of the players.

 

We’ve got a few keepers now – 2 youngsters and 2 older ones – so there’s a fight for a place there. We’ve got 2 spinners so there’s competition among those two. And with Hoggard available at the start of the season it’s created competition in the seam department. What that enables us to do is to rest somebody from the side now and again. Last year Gillespie had a lot of bowling to do and sometimes we didn’t get from him what we wanted because he was doing a lot of donkey work. If we have everybody available this year he can probably have the odd game off to make sure he’s fresh for the next one.

 

Do you see a possible temptation to over bowl yourself - if the match gets tight or something?

 

No, I can assure you that won’t happen. In certain situations you’ll turn to your best bowler in that situation and whoever’s bowling the best will take on that role. Sometimes that happens where you have to bowl more in one game than in another. If it’s on the last day and it is spinning my responsibility will go to the spinner. If it’s doing a little bit and a particular seamer is bowling well he might have to bowl more than he’d want to bowl. You have to go with the flow and be flexible.

 

It must be good for your ego to know that someone of the stature of Geoffrey Boycott is stalking you around Australia to get you back at the club?

 

Yeah, I flied out to Australia twice this winter. Both times he came in search of me. I’ve had emails off him, I’ve had phone calls. He wants me to come back to Yorkshire and he thinks I’ll do a great job. He knows the personality I am. I know him quite well personally and he’s a good friend and Colin Graves also. It’s the first time I met Stewart (Regan) today and he seems a very good business man. They are going in the right direction, have got a good stand being built, some good Academy players and we go from there. It’s exciting times.

 

Have you had the chance to speak to any of your old Yorkshire team-mates yet?

 

Yeah, I’ve spoken to quite a few of them. I’ve known them for a long time. I’ve been friends with Craig White for 18 years, first played against him as an 18-year-old so we know each other pretty well. I’ve kept in touch with him over the last three years. Same with Anthony McGrath I spoke to him. I’ve spoken to ex-players Chris Silverwood, I spoke to Ryan Sidebottom this morning. Michael Vaughan, Matthew Hoggard – I spoke to them all and they’re all pleased with my appointment and they all think it’s the right step. When the England captain says you are the right man for the job you listen. He’s been very supportive and he thinks I’ll be good for the club with my enthusiasm and what I bring with it. He said as England captain that he likes to have me around and England’s a lesser team without Darren Gough in it, and even Freddie Flintoff said that. Hopefully I can repay their faith.

 

I’m not going to say I’m going to play every single game and bowl 20-overs a game, that would be stupid to say that. I want to play as many games as possible. Getting on board a good vice captain that can go with the same plans and thinking as I have. I’m hopefully going to play as many games as possible.

 

And when you sit games out you’ll be there with the team anyway won’t you?

 

Yes. I’m looking to be positive. There are games in there which you can say I’m not going to play. I’m not going to play against Gloucester and a couple of other friendlies, course I’m not. There is plenty of opportunity to rest. The good thing is now with the Twenty20 you get a good little break in between – instead of bowling 25-overs in an innings, it goes to bowling 4-overs and I think that’s a great concept to have that break for Twenty20 cricket.

 

You seem confident that Anthony McGrath will stay with the club?

 

I’ve spoken to Anthony McGrath and he knows I want him to stay. I think he’s an important part of this club. The sooner he agrees to stay the better and he knows my feelings. I know the problems he’s had over the last few years, as a few of them have. I’m a different person, bring enjoyment and discipline and I want enjoyment back in playing for Yorkshire. He wanted to hear that, he knows what I’m like and I’m sure he’ll come and join me next year and play at Yorkshire.

 

Did you learn anything on the dance floor that you will bring to Yorkshire?

 

Not really (laughs). Be patient and it shows if you work hard in your preparation then the performance will follow.

 

So you won’t be wearing sequins on your whites.

 

No. I might have a special coloured bat – a pink one.

 

Your two lads are 12 and 9 now. Do they take after their Dad?

 

Yeah, they both play cricket, but they play for Buckinghamshire (laughs).

 

Do they support Essex or Yorkshire?

 

I don’t think they support any. They support Ricky Ponting at the minute. They’re both Yorkshire born, they know how I feel about Yorkshire and I always instil that in them. I’m Yorkshire through and through and my kids were born in Yorkshire and they know that they’re Yorkshire.

 

I live in Barnsley and people around here are pleased you are coming back home.

 

Yes, apparently in Barnsley they’re chuffed to bits I’m coming back. It’s great.

 

And I guess your parents are proud to have a Yorkshire captain in the family?

 

Yeah, they’re chuffed to bits, definitely.

 

All the best with everything, have a good pre-season and a great summer.

 

Thanks.




Any comments on this interview please feel free to enter them in the thread below...

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon