Bradford-born, Anthony McGrath, has resolved his differences with Yorkshire and will not be quitting his native county after all.

The mediation process with the England and Wales Cricket Board, which was due to start yesterday, was scrapped after the 31-year-old batsman renewed his allegiance to the Tykes.

Now McGrath, who first announced he wanted to leave Yorkshire last October, has backed new captain, Darren Gough, and given him his 100 per cent support.

The pair have been big friends throughout their careers and it was Gough's direct talks with the disenchanted McGrath over the past few days which finally made him decide to stay.

Until then, McGrath had insisted that his contract with Yorkshire was over and that he would be looking to join a new county.

McGrath's decision set the seal on a triumphant week for the Yorkshire Management Board in which they announced the return of Gough and finalised negotiations which will bring back former captain Martyn Moxon as director of professional cricket.

McGrath was said to be unhappy with the way David Byas was running the show, but his reasons were seen to run deeper than that when he still declined to return after Byas was pushed out.

Yorkshire chief executive Stewart Regan has since acknowledged that one of McGrath's main gripes was that because of the club's financial plight the actual cricket side of operations had been pushed into the background and not given sufficient priority.

Commenting on his winter of discontent, McGrath said: "At the end of the 2006 season I told Yorkshire I was unhappy and wished to leave. I had not enjoyed my cricket, the atmosphere in the dressing room was becoming unbearable and I felt we were not making progress.

"I am still ambitious and felt that I had still a lot to offer the game so I made the decision that a fresh start would allow me to kick-start my career.

"During the last two months in particular I have been very reassured by the progress Yorkshire are making on the cricket side.

"The club have shared their vision for the future with me, they have added quality players to the squad and invested in the strength and conditioning staff and facilities.

"Most importantly, they have appointed a captain whom I fully support. I have known Goughy for years and regard him as a mate as well as a great cricketer. He will breathe new life back into the dressing room and I know the lads will run through brick walls for him.

"The club have shared with me their thoughts on the director of professional cricket appointment and having fully considered my position I have decided to withdraw from the mediation process. I want to remain as part of the Yorkshire team and do not want to leave, only to then regret my decision as Yorkshire go from strength to strength.

"My family and friends are all in this county and I could never have been comfortable leaving them behind. I know many of the members have been upset that I wished to leave and I am determined to show them just how much Yorkshire means to me."