Andrew Gale has backed Jacques Rudolph, his current vice-captain at Yorkshire, to make a success of leading the Nashua Titans this winter.

Gale believes the 29 year-old, named the new skipper of his South African franchise earlier this week, will take a calmness into the role with the Pretoria based side.

Rudolph has led Yorkshire in three LV= County Championship and two Friends Provident Twenty20 matches this season while Gale has been away with the England Lions squad.

And he will take charge of the Titans for the first time in a four-day match against the Warriors on September 30, just 12 days after the English domestic season is due to finish.

Gale said: “Jacques certainly likes to reflect a bit more, and he’s a bit calmer than me. He likes to sit back, and he’s not as in your face as I am.”

For an up and coming captain such as Gale, having Rudolph as his right-hand man is ideal.

A veteran of 35 Test matches and 45 one-day internationals, Rudolph has been there, done it and bought the T-shirt.

“We work well as a team, and I’m sure he’ll make a great captain for the Titans,” continued Gale.

“I’m sure he’ll take points out of my captaincy to use in his, as I have taken points out of his captaincy and used them in mine.”

Rudolph commented: “It is an honour and privilege to be named as Titans captain for the forthcoming season.

“I see this as a new chapter in my career, and a massive challenge, as I am taking over the captaincy of a franchise which breeds success.”

Reports came out of South Africa just over a week ago that national coach Corrie van Zyl would like the prolific left-hander to make himself available for international cricket again in the near future.

Rudolph has one year left after this on his White Rose contract, and would have to reject any such advances to remain with the county under the Kolpak agreement.

He flat-batted questions about his immediate future at Headingley last week, leaving Yorkshire’s members and supporters wondering what is next for their star performer.

Rudolph, along with the rest of the Yorkshire squad, are currently enjoying three days off ahead of Monday’s LV= County Championship match against Durham at the Riverside.

Durham got back on track this season with a victory over Lancashire.

So Gale is wary of the champions’ threat.

He added: “We’re playing good cricket at the moment, but you can never right Durham off. They’re creeping up in the Championship.”

Gale will find out tomorrow whether he will have Tim Bresnan and/or Ajmal Shahzad available for the match because England name their squad for the third Test against Pakistan at the Oval.