Captain Andrew Gale says the Yorkshire team selected for Wednesday's tour opener against Derbyshire will give an insight into what the management team are thinking ahead of next month’s County Championship opener.

Gale takes charge of the White Rose county for the first time in the two-day friendly against their cross-county neighbours from LV= Division Two in Barbados.

Jacques Rudolph, Tim Bresnan, Ajmal Shahzad and Daryl Tuffey are not with the squad, but Gale revealed: “This game should give you an indication as to what sort of side we’re looking at.

“There are probably three or four spots up for grabs, and the lads who perform well on tour – and are in form – will get picked.

“From a bowling point of view, we’re unsure about the seamers – who’s going to be about.

“You never know whether Tim Bresnan or Ajmal Shahzad, who are playing at the moment, will come back with a niggle.

“We have also got two wicketkeepers fighting for places, and a couple of batting spots up for grabs.”

Gerard Brophy is close to full fitness after ankle surgery earlier in the winter, but this clash will come too soon for the South African.

Jonny Bairstow will don the gloves for the first fixture - at least.

Gale is excited at the prospect of leading his team out for the first time at the 3 Ws Oval, even though he had some experience with the England Lions in the UAE.

He continued: “I will be quite proud to lead the lads out onto the field of play. To be the first one out will be special.”

Gale led England’s second string to five wins out of eight limited-overs matches in the Gulf last month, including a Twenty20 success against the England senior side.

He assessed. “We set out to win the Twenty20 series against Pakistan A, and we did that. We fell a little bit short in the one-day series, but it was a valuable experience.”

Gale and director of professional cricket Martyn Moxon have some interesting decisions to make after training tomorrow.

They will have to decide on an opening partner for Joe Sayers, likely to be either Joe Root or Adam Lyth, while the make-up of their bowling attack is anybody’s guess.

Yorkshire touched down in Barbados with a squad of 19, including Academy pace bowler Jack Hargreaves.

James Lee, Oliver Hannon-Dalby, Steve Patterson and Ben Sanderson are all fighting for places.