THE season proper has yet to get started for Anthony McGrath - but he's already well aware that there is far more to captaining Yorkshire than just leading the team on to the field.

"There are lots of things happening behind the scenes which you have to do like attending meetings, seeing that the kit is all in order, talking to the players and pondering over team selections," said McGrath.

"But captaincy is something which I wanted to do and I am thoroughly enjoying the involvement and the challenge.

"I gained a lot of experience from helping Richard Blakey when he was captain for the last six weeks of last season in the absence of Darren Lehmann and some people thought that he would be put in charge again this year with me possibly taking over in 2004.

"Yorkshire, however, decided that they wanted me to do it sooner rather than later and that is fine by me. I must say that Richard has been absolutely brilliant about how things have worked out.

"When I was appointed he was one of the first players to congratulate me and he has been very supporting throughout all our preparations.

"Everyone, of course, was bitterly disappointed that we started out as County Champions last year and finished up with the wooden spoon but when we talked it over at the end of the season all of the players were agreed that discipline had slipped during the summer.

"We made a collective decision to be more disciplined this time and we will look smarter both on and off the field and be very professional in everything we do. The players have agreed on their own code of conduct and they each accept that they cannot complain if they break the rules and disciplinary action follows.

"Immediate promotion in the Championship is a top priority, but I know that we will be in for a tough slog to achieve it. Being in the Second Division does not mean an easy ride because several of the teams are equally as good as those in the First Division. Somerset and Hampshire, who were relegated with us, have both recruited very well and Worcestershire are a strong side who just missed out on promotion and will be keen to make amends.

"Glamorgan and Gloucestershire will also be extremely tough opponents and with three promotion places up for grabs everyone is going to fancy their chances.

"Last season we made a dreadful start and never picked ourselves up, so I see it as vital that we are more focussed this time and make sure that we get plenty of points on the board early on.

"I also believe we have a real chance of winning the National League if we play to our full potential and although there has been some criticism of the new Twenty-20 competition we will be taking it very seriously indeed and trying to stamp our authority on it."

Updated: 10:18 Thursday, April 10, 2003