Anthony McGrath has been appointed as the new head coach of Yorkshire on a five-year deal, following Ottis Gibson’s departure from the White Rose county last week. McGrath, a former Yorkshire and England all-rounder, will officially begin his role on November 1, succeeding Gibson, who had been in charge for three seasons.
The 49-year-old Bradford-born McGrath expressed his excitement about the new challenge, stating, “It is a great honour to be appointed head coach of Yorkshire Cricket’s men’s team. I am absolutely determined to develop a team capable of delivering the success they deserve.” McGrath acknowledged his time at Essex, where he served as director of cricket, thanking everyone involved with the club for the opportunity to be part of their history.
Having spent 17 years as a player with Yorkshire, McGrath brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He captained Yorkshire in 2003 and represented England in both Test and one-day international matches before retiring as a player in 2012. McGrath then transitioned into coaching, working as a consultant with Yorkshire and later joining Essex as assistant head coach in 2016.
McGrath’s success at Essex, where he guided the team to several championships, including the County Championship and T20 Blast double in 2019, has garnered praise. Yorkshire’s interim CEO, Sanjay Patel, emphasised McGrath’s coaching prowess, describing him as “one of the most exciting and successful coaches in English cricket.” Patel highlighted McGrath’s strategic vision for Yorkshire Cricket’s future success and his commitment to developing talent.
The appointment of McGrath as Yorkshire’s head coach marks a new chapter for the club, with hopes high for a revival under his leadership. With a strong background in both playing and coaching, McGrath is poised to bring his expertise and passion to guide Yorkshire back to the pinnacle of domestic cricket.