YORKSHIRE County Cricket Club have decided not to appoint an official vice-captain this season, preferring instead to keep their options open.

Opening batsman Matthew Wood did the job last summer and found himself in charge throughout the second half of a difficult season when captain Craig White was sidelined with a serious knee injury.

It is a diplomatic move by director of cricket David Byas because if Wood were made vice-captain again it could appear to be a slight on Anthony McGrath who surrendered the captaincy before the start of last season because of his involvement with England.

McGrath is expected to be available full-time for Yorkshire in 2005 and may deputise for White if necessary but Byas may also want to let Richard Dawson have a crack at doing the job.

Dawson, who next week travels to Sharjah and then Sri Lanka with England 'A', has a keen analytical mind and some believe he has the right pedigree to become a future Yorkshire captain.

Byas said: "We will pick a stand-in captain if and when we need one this season. If Craig gets injured we will take a decision then but I hope that the situation doesn't arise."

Updated: 09:50 Thursday, February 17, 2005