Bradford-born batsman Anthony McGrath was today being installed as Yorkshire's youngest captain for the past 70 years.

The 27-year-old Bradford League product emerged last night as the choice of the county's four-man Management Board, who were today putting their invitation to him at Headingley before making an official announcement.

The last time a younger man was appointed Yorkshire captain was in 1933 when Brian Sellers took on the job at the age of 26 - and led the Tykes to six Championship titles.

McGrath's closest rival to succeed the unavailable Darren Lehmann was 36-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Richard Blakey, who did well in the closing weeks of last season when placed in charge during Lehmann's absence.

But in the end, director of cricket Geoff Cope convinced his fellow Board members that McGrath, from Rooley Lane, Bankfoot, had age on his side and would bring continuity to the team.

With new batting coach Kevin Sharp living in Sandy Lane and Cope at Tranmere Park, near Guiseley, Yorkshire are now in the hands of three Bradford district men who have given outstanding service to the Bradford League - McGrath with Bankfoot and East Bierley, Sharp with Bradford and Bingley and Farsley and Cope later in his career with Yeadon where he became club president.