ANDREW GALE will no doubt sit down with a beer or two on New Year’s Eve and reflect upon what he has described as the best year of his life.

Not only did the Yorkshire captain lead his side to the club’s first LV= County Championship title since 2001, their 31st outright, his wife, Kate, also gave birth to their second child.

Gale believes coming second behind Durham in 2013 made succeeding in September all the more sweeter, although he accepts that defending their title will be a tougher task next year.

Yorkshire, who are still to announce any overseas signings, are expecting to be hit by early season international calls when England travel to the West Indies for a Test series in April.

Gale himself will miss the first Championship match of the campaign against Worcestershire at New Road as he is completing his ECB ban for improper conduct.

“This has been the best year of my life,” said the 31-year-old batsman. “To win the Championship and have my second child, I’ve said it a million times, it’s what dreams are made of.

“To start out and do all the training at this time of year and then get your rewards at the back end of September, it’s fantastic.

“I’m sure all the lads will reflect on 2014 in years to come as one of the very best.

“There was so much chat about Yorkshire not winning a trophy in 'x' amount of years, so to eventually get over the line and the euphoria that goes with it was unbelievable.

“It was perhaps a bit sweeter having finished second the season before because it took a lot to bounce back in the fashion we did.”

Despite the expected absentees through April and into May, Gale has already spoken of his confidence in the club’s youngsters to step up and fill the void if needed.

“It’s going to be a lot tougher, especially at the start of the season with the West Indies trip, so we’re going to have to find a way to win in a different fashion,” he added.

“We’re not going to blow teams away every week and win by an innings.

“I guess the positive about the early season is that we should have most of our bowling attack available. If you can bowl teams out and take 20 wickets, you’ve got a chance.”