Yorkshire entered a new era yesterday with the arrival on a four-year contract of Chris Adams as captain and head of professional cricket.

But whether director of cricket David Byas still has a role to play with his native county remains to be seen.

Byas has been offered the new post of head of cricket development and is currently having talks with chairman Colin Graves before deciding whether to accept the job.

What is clear, however, is that control of cricket has passed from Byas' hands to Adams' - and the 36-year-old former Sussex skipper is now relishing the opportunity of both leading and managing Yorkshire.

One of his first tasks will be to try and persuade Bradford-born Anthony McGrath to stay at Headingley and he held an initial round of talks with the key batsman soon after his appointment had been formally announced.

Adams said: "I think he is very important to the future of the club. He is a player who has had the experience of cricket at international level and is Yorkshire through and through. I want to find out what he wants and, hopefully, he will stay."

Yorkshire also confirmed they are currently in talks with a second overseas player for next season - Pakistan's Younis Khan has already signed - and a decision over whether to sign him could be taken as early as next week.

If Byas remains at Yorkshire, his responsibilities will be away from the first team and there is some irony in the fact that it was Byas who was instrumental in bringing Adams to Headingley.

Before appointing Adams, Yorkshire sounded out several people - including England captain Michael Vaughan, who personally approved Adams' move to his own county.

Adams, whose father was born and bred in Huddersfield, said: "I'm absolutely delighted to be here. Ask any 36-year-old county cricketer about his preferred situation and he would say he wanted his future taken care of - and that is what has happened to me by moving into management while still a player and captain.

"Yorkshire is possibly the biggest club in the country and I thank Sussex for allowing me to take this opportunity."