Australian Darren Lehmann has hinted that his likely appointment as captain of English county team Yorkshire may be no more than a short-term measure.

Yorkshire's cricket committee formally endorsed the appointment last week, all but clearing the way for the brilliant left hander to replace the recently retired David Byas and become the county's first-ever overseas captain.

But the 31-year old skipper of South Australia has suggested that such an elevation would be no more than an interim step as the county prepares to find its next long-term leader.

"It's really just a makeshift role until one of our younger blokes can stand up and do the job - that's how I see it. That's also, I think, how the Board and committee see it, and how the coach sees it," said Lehmann after spanking an innings of 246 to inspire South Australia to a crushing win over Tasmania in Hobart last weekend.

"It'd be a great honour, obviously, to be the first non-Yorkshireman to captain Yorkshire.

"But I'd really just be there to help the younger blokes through at this particular time and, when they're ready to take over, I'd be stepping down to let them do that. Because they'll be able to do the job for a lot longer than I can."

Since being recruited to the club in 1997, Lehmann has been an outstanding success through each of four seasons as the county's overseas professional.

On debut for the club, he struck 1,575 runs at an average of 63.00 in 1997; complemented it with another 969 runs in a reduced season in 1998 at an average of 60.56; and, on his return after a season dominated by World Cup commitments with Australia, was the leading first-class run scorer in England in 2000 with another 1,477 runs at an average of 67.13.

He was also the architect of the attainment last summer of the county's first first-class crown in 33 years, hitting another 1,416 runs at an average of 83.29.

Importantly, Lehmann has considerable experience behind him as a captain in Australia's two domestic competitions and is already a much-admired figure across Yorkshire.

His appointment is due to be officially ratified at a further meeting of Yorkshire officials at Headingley on 28 November.

© 2001 CricInfo Ltd