Captain Andrew Gale today signed a one-year extension to his contract with Yorkshire that will keep him at the club until December 2016.

The 30-year-old batsman also has an option to add a further year to a flourishing Yorkshire career that began with his first-class debut ten years ago against Somerset at Scarborough.

He has extended his contract after one of his best ever seasons, hitting 1,067 championship runs at an average of 44.45, including a career-best 272 against Nottinghamshire at Scarborough.

Gale, who became Yorkshire’s youngest ever professional captain when he was appointed at the age of 26 in December 2009, said: “Playing cricket for Yorkshire has never been a job to me but a passion and I could never see myself playing for anyone else.

“I feel over the last few years the club has made some huge strides forward.

“We have an excellent structure throughout the club with some great people working very hard behind the scenes.

“The icing on the cake is to now win some trophies.”

Gale, who has scored over 6,000 first-class runs during his Yorkshire career, admitted last season’s disappointment in missing out to Durham for the title was hard to take.

But he is now fully focused on leading the Division One team in future seasons.

“Last year did hurt, not getting over the line and winning the County Championship, but that is in the past now,” said Gale, whose early development in the game was with JCT600 Bradford League club Cleckheaton.

“I’m personally excited by the current squad we have. We have a great mixture of experience and youth, and the work ethic within the squad here is next to none.

“The support staff and players will continue to strive to improve and play the brand of cricket that Yorkshire deserves.”

Gale’s new contract follows established players Richard Pyrah, Ryan Sidebottom and Adil Rashid agreeing new deals, while Dan Hodgson, Alex Lees and Jack Leaning have also signed new contracts with Yorkshire.

“It’s great news for the club that Andrew has pledged his future,” admitted Martyn Moxon, Yorkshire’s director of cricket.

“As a captain, he is growing year-by-year and is highly respected in the dressing room.

“He leads by example on the field and will always give everything he has for the county.

“He is the essence of a Yorkshire cricketer and I’m confident that he can lead us to glory over the next few seasons.”

“His experience is invaluable for all players in our pursuit of sustained success.”