Yorkshire County Cricket Club has appointed Anthony McGrath as their new men’s head coach on a five-year deal. McGrath, a former England all-rounder and Yorkshire academy graduate, returns to his home county after a successful stint as director of cricket at Essex.
McGrath’s coaching career began at Yorkshire following his retirement in 2013. He then moved to Essex in 2014 as assistant coach to Chris Silverwood. Under McGrath’s guidance, Essex earned promotion to Division One in 2016 and won the County Championship title the following year.
When Silverwood left to become England head coach, McGrath was promoted to head coach. He led Essex to a Championship and T20 Blast double in 2019, followed by the Bob Willis Trophy in 2020. In the 2023 season, Essex finished second in Division One and were beaten finalists in the Blast.
McGrath inherits a Yorkshire team that has returned to Division One after relegation in 2022. The club was also docked 48 points in the 2023 season for its handling of the racism scandal involving former player Azeem Rafiq.
McGrath’s remit will be to improve the performance and management of the men’s first team. He will officially start his role on November 1.
“It is a great honor to be appointed Head Coach of Yorkshire Cricket’s Men’s team,” McGrath said. “I know the history of this great club and the passion of the members and supporters, and I am absolutely determined to develop a team capable of delivering the success they deserve.”
Essex captain Tom Westley praised McGrath as “one of the most influential figures I have come across during my career.”
Yorkshire’s interim CEO, Sanjay Patel, said: “We’re delighted to appoint Anthony as Head Coach. During the past nine years with Essex, Anthony has proved himself to be one of the most exciting and successful coaches in English cricket.”
