Gale vows to end career at Yorkshire

The deal will keep Gale at Headingley until December 2016, with the Yorkshire captain also having an option of a further year to stay at the club.

The top order left-handed batsman is currently playing in Melbourne, Australia, for Dandenong Panthers in the Victoria Premier League.

Dewsbury-born Gale celebrated signing his contract extension with Yorkshire by hitting a maiden century of the winter in Dandenong’s victory over Hawthorn-Monash University last week.

Gale, 30, made his first-class debut in June 2004 against Somerset at Scarborough and he has gone on to play 111 first-class matches, scoring more than 6,000 runs.

Gale is still signed on with club side Cleckheaton and last season turned out for the Moorenders in a Bradford League game against Manningham Mills.

Gale was also at the final game of last season against Woodlands, when Cleckheaton secured a first Bradford League Division One title in their history.

A delighted Gale said: “Playing cricket for Yorkshire has never been a job to me, but a passion.

“I could never see myself playing for anyone else. I’m now entering my 12th year as a professional at the club and my fifth year as captain and although I’m not looking at finishing anytime soon, I want to finish my career at Yorkshire.

“I feel over the last few years the club has made some huge strides forward and the icing on the cake is to now win some trophies.

“Last year did hurt, not getting over the line and winning the County Championship, but that is in the past now.

“I’m personally excited by the current squad we have. We have a great mixture of experience and youth, and the work ethic within the squad is next to none.

“The support staff and players will continue to strive to play the brand of cricket that Yorkshire deserves.”

Yorkshire play Leeds-Bradford University between April 1 and 4 before starting the 2014 County Championship starting on April 13 with a trip to Somerset.