Anthony McGrath is all set to captain Yorkshire again next season, unless he is chosen for England's tour of the West Indies which begins in February and cuts into the first few weeks of the domestic campaign.

If the speculation proves correct that McGrath will find himself back in the England fold when the squad is selected on January 6 then Yorkshire's new director of cricket, David Byas, will decide whether to replace him with someone on a temporary or permanent basis.

"I have spoken to Anthony and he is in complete agreement that we should wait until the England party is chosen before making any official announcement over the captaincy," said Byas.

"He is conscious of the fact that when he was called up by England early last summer he still had it constantly on his mind how Yorkshire were going on, and he may be able to bat better for England without such things to think about.

"It is also essential for Yorkshire that the captain is with us when we report back for training and that we have some continuity.

"If Anthony does get picked for England then that is wonderful news and a big feather in his cap but if he doesn't get selected then I will be just as happy that he will be available to captain Yorkshire."

Byas also had a long telephone conversation just before Christmas with Darren Lehmann who has been out of Australia's Test side since early October with a serious calf injury.

"It is absolutely necessary that we know Darren will be fully fit when he joins us next season and the signs are very promising that he is making a good recovery," said Byas.

"He is shortly to make his comeback with South Australia and if he proves his fitness it is likely Australia will choose him for their tour of Sri Lanka in February. Australia certainly won't pick him if he is only standing on one leg and if he does go to Sri Lanka it will sharpen him up for us.

"But if Darren does have any further problems with his leg then we will have to look at the situation very carefully. I don't want us to end up in the same boat as last season when Matthew Elliott came with a fitness problem and went back to Australia without playing a game for us."

Byas also confirmed that he now has his full coaching team in place with everyone agreeing to take on their new roles.

"Both Kevin Sharp (batting) and Steve Oldham (bowling) have just passed their ECB Level 4 coaching examinations, which make them among the best coaches in the country and puts them among a very elite group indeed," said Byas.

"Ian Dews will do an excellent job with the Academy and I am really pleased that Richard Blakey has agreed to captain and manage the Second XI.

"We now have people in place who are strong, energetic and full of energy. I just cannot wait to get started."