ANDREW GALE insists he will not shy away from what would surely be the toughest decision of his cricketing career so far – dropping himself from Yorkshire’s County Championship team.

The county’s captain has endured a frustrating season and a half in first-class cricket dating back to midway through 2011, with injury and loss of form contributing factors.

The left-handed batsman has not scored a century against the red ball since an unbeaten 101 in the second innings of a match against Durham at the Riverside in June 2011.

In 34 first-class innings since then, the former England Lions skipper has only passed 50 on four occasions.

His last came 50 came against Glamorgan at Headingley last September.

In nine first-class innings this summer, including two against the students of Leeds/Bradford MCC Universities, he has scored just 140 runs at an average of 17.5.

His only half-century was a 67-ball 65 against Glamorgan in the opening Yorkshire Bank 40 match at Colwyn Bay at the start of the month.

He did at least score an encouraging 40 during the victory against Warwickshire at Edgbaston inside three days last week, falling to a superb one-handed catch at slip.

“I’m not going to lie to you, it has been a worry,” said the 29-year-old of his form.

“We’re five games in now, and I still haven’t got a 50. I keep finding ways of getting out.

“I feel in good form in the one-day stuff, but it’s just about converting that into the Championship.

“I was disappointed to get out like I did at Warwickshire after such a good start.”

The subject of Gale dropping himself has not been discussed between himself and the White Rose coaching staff.

“No it hasn’t yet,” he confirmed.

“But I’m not going to be a captain who just stays in the team for my captaincy. I want to be contributing.

“I’ve always prided myself on leading from the front, and if that means leaving myself out, I won’t think twice about doing that if it helps Yorkshire to win matches.”

Gale has time to work on his game in nets before next Tuesday’s Championship match against Somerset at Taunton, although in an ideal world he would have played a second XI match like he did at the start of last week when he scored 60 in a 40-over meeting with Lancashire at Liverpool.

They do not play again until next Tuesday either.