Yorkshire County Cricket Club have announced the appointment of Anthony McGrath as their new head coach this morning.

McGrath, who has been handed a five-year contract, will have overall responsibility for the performance and management of the men’s first team.

The former director of cricket for Essex brings a wealth of cricket knowledge and success to the role, having helped Essex to the double of County Championship and T20 Blast in 2019 and the Bob Willis Cup in 2020.

They were second in the Championship and the T20 Blast in 2023 and challenged strongly again this season.

A former Yorkshire all-rounder who developed through the club’s pathways, McGrath went on to be capped in four Tests and 14 ODIs by England.

Anthony McGrath (second left) scored 14,698 runs and took 134 wickets in a 17-year first-class career that was exclusively spent at Yorkshire. Anthony McGrath (second left) scored 14,698 runs and took 134 wickets in a 17-year first-class career that was exclusively spent at Yorkshire. (Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com)

He retired in 2013 and took on the role of coaching consultant with Yorkshire before moving south to join Essex.

McGrath replaces Ottis Gibson as head coach, the Bajan leaving the club on a high having led them to promotion to Division One of the County Championship last month.

Yorkshire’s interim CEO Sanjay Patel said: “We’re delighted to appoint Anthony as head coach.

“During the past nine years with Essex, Anthony has proved himself to be one of the most exciting and successful coaches in English cricket.

“He is renowned for his team’s attractive, attacking cricket, supporting and developing world class talent, and commitment to youth.

“In the club’s conversations leading up to this appointment, we were deeply impressed with his long-term vision for returning Yorkshire Cricket to the level we want to be competing at, as well as his drive and determination to achieve that.”  

 McGrath said: “It is a great honour to be appointed head coach of Yorkshire, and I am hugely excited by the challenge ahead.

 “I know the history of this great club and the passion of the members and supporters, and I am absolutely determined to develop a team capable of delivering the success they deserve.

“It will be difficult to leave Essex after all these incredible years, and I would like to thank everyone involved with the club for the opportunity to be part of Essex’s history.

“The club is well positioned to keep moving forward in the years to come.”

McGrath will officially start his role with Yorkshire on Friday, November 1.