‘Viking’ Gale unable to repel final loss hurt

As Yorkshire re-branded their one-day team the Yorkshire 
Vikings, which replaced the previous moniker of Yorkshire Carnegie, Gale confessed he was still smarting from the 10-run defeat to Hampshire in Cardiff last 
August.

By common consent, Yorkshire were the best Twenty20 side in the country last season, inspired by stunning performances from overseas players David Miller and Mitchell Starc and a strong team ethic masterminded by Gale and the coaching staff.

But they were edged into second place at SWALEC Stadium, and Gale is hoping a change of name can bring a change of fortunes in 2013.

Speaking at the launch of the Yorkshire Vikings name at the Jorvik Viking Centre in York, Gale revealed his lingering frustration over what happened in South Wales.

“I’m still hurting from losing that Twenty20 final last year,” he said, a rueful smile etched across his face.

“When you look back, we were just two balls away from winning a trophy after playing so well throughout the competition.

“We were all totally gutted that night and we’re desperate to go further this year and win the cup.

“Hopefully, with all the hard work we’re putting into pre-season, and with this new name change behind us, it can inspire us to get our hands on some silverware this time.”

Looking fit and fresh following a trip to Sri Lanka, where he spent time training with some of his Yorkshire colleagues, Gale cut a familiar picture of determination as he contemplated the advent of a new season.

He is proud to be leading Yorkshire in their 150th anniversary year and is optimistic it could be one to savour on-and-off the field.

“I just think there’s a great feeling around Yorkshire cricket at the moment,” he added.

“It’s a fantastic time to be supporting the club, what with us being back in the First Division of the County Championship and with the success we had in Twenty20 last year.

“The Championship is always the No 1 priority, but we’re looking to move forward in one-day cricket as well and build on what we achieved last summer.

“We played some great stuff in the short format, and I think we’re well capable of challenging on all fronts.”

Key to Yorkshire’s success last season was the enjoyment factor cultivated by Gale and the likes of new head coach Jason Gillespie.

With director of cricket Martyn Moxon overseeing operations, and with second XI coach Paul Farbrace also having a significant input, it was a smooth ship that sailed Yorkshire to within touching distance of their first major trophy since 2002.

“I think we played a different style and brand of cricket last year, particularly in the one-day stuff,” said Gale.

“Jason Gillespie and Paul Farbrace came in and they encouraged a fearless brand of cricket which all the lads warmed to.

“We basically went out there and played the game with a smile on our faces.

“We had specific game plans and were able to execute them under pressure.”

With a pre-season tour to Barbados starting on Monday, where they will first play under the 
Vikings name against their Twenty20 conquerors Hampshire at Kensington Oval on March 16, yesterday was all about light-hearted fun in foggy York, where the new brand was successfully launched.

Gale, along with team-mates Ryan Sidebottom, Adam Lyth and Moin Ashraf, were there to model the new kit and they entered into the spirit of an occasion in which they rubbed shoulders with “real” Vikings who entertained passers-by with their costumes and war-cries.

Asked to deliver his own 
Viking impression, Gale sensibly quipped that he would leave that to Sidebottom, whom he said “looks like a Viking”.

Sidebottom responded by delivering one of those guttural roars known to umpires the world over, the former England man proving that Erik the Red has got nothing on him.

Gale said all the players are happy with the new name, and he congratulated Yorkshire’s marketing and commercial department for coming up with a moniker that the club hope will attract more people – in particular children – to watch their matches.

“The Vikings have got an identity in Yorkshire that goes back over 1,000 years, so with all that history and tradition it makes sense to call ourselves the Yorkshire Vikings,” said Gale.

“I think it’s a great name and you can just imagine 20,000 in for the Roses match at Headingley all wearing Viking helmets with horns on.

“It’s a very marketable brand, the lads have all bought into it and it’s a fantastic new kit and logo.

“It’s the start of a new era for Yorkshire cricket and, we hope, a successful one.”

Sidebottom added: “The name speaks volumes. The main thing about it will be to get young kids, boys and girls, coming out to watch Yorkshire.”

The name Carnegie will live on in Yorkshire sport with rugby union side Leeds contracted to Leeds Metropolitan University until 2017.