Darren Gough has been unveiled as the new captain of Yorkshire, three years after leaving his home county.

The veteran England fast bowler moved from Headingley to Essex in 2004 but has been tempted back north by the offer of leading the side, although Gough admitted that he never thought a return to his home county was likely. "I thought today would never happen," he said. "Today is a very proud day, to come back as captain.

"There are some exciting things happening at this club. I am just looking forward to the challenge. With the blend we have got I think we have a good chance this year of putting in some good performances.

"I'm here to bring my experience and enthusiasm. By the time I leave here hopefully we will have the structure in place to keep winning trophies, like we used to do years ago."

Gough, England's leading one-day wicket-taker with 229 victims, had harboured hopes of going to the forthcoming World Cup but was overlooked by selectors. However, he insisted he could resurrect his international career depending on his performances for Yorkshire: "I'm 36 years old, I can still bat and bowl. I can still do a job. I wish I was there [the World Cup] but I wish England well. You never say never. My job is now with Yorkshire."

Colin Graves, the Yorkshire chairman, said it was an easy decision to bring Gough back to the county when it became clear he was available. "There was nobody more disappointed than me when Darren had to leave," Graves said. "So when the opportunity arose to bring him back to Yorkshire I took it with both hands.

"One thing Darren put across to me when I first met him six or seven weeks ago was that he thought he had unfinished business at Yorkshire. The board were unanimous [in wanting to bring Gough back]."