ballance calls it a day as yorkshire skipper
Gary Ballance has stepped down as Yorkshire captain, with veteran seamer Steven Patterson taking over the reins.
Ballance, who was appointed 18 months ago, revealed that leading the white rose had become “quite a burden”.
The 34-year-old Patterson, who has led the side in eight one-day games this year after Ballance was given time off, has also signed a two-year contract extension at Headingley.
England batsman Ballance said: “It was, obviously, a big decision, but I think it was best to let that go.
“Hopefully for me personally, I can go on and play some nice cricket and not worry too much about the captaincy.
“I don’t think it was really affecting my batting too much, it just felt like there was quite a lot of burden, in terms of pressure and expectation, on me and it has got a lot tougher over the last few weeks.”
Patterson, who has guided Yorkshire to a Royal London OneDay Cup semi-final against Hampshire on Monday after winning six of his eight games at the helm, added: “It’s a proud honour and a privilege to be asked to do the job.
“Now that I know I’m doing it for the rest of the summer, I can get my teeth stuck into it and make a positive contribution to the teams.”
Meanwhile, Australian batsman David Warner has agreed to join St Lucia Stars for the 2018 Hero Caribbean Premier League.
The 31-year-old is banned from playing international or state cricket due to his role in the balltampering scandal during Australia’s Test against South Africa at Newlands in March.
Warner, along with fellowbanned team-mate Cameron Bancroft, has agreed to play grade cricket as well as a limited-overs tourney in July.
Now he will participate in the CPL for the first time after replacing fellow Australian D’Arcy Short, who has been called up for Australia A’s tour of India.