Gale's Ride for Cancer Charity

Yorkshire cricket captain Andrew Gale is facing a new challenge - other than keeping his side in the T20 competition - by cycling 350km across central America in aid of Marie Curie.

The batsman will ride from Yosemete National Park right up to San Francisco, and the heat plus steep climbs will certainly put him to the test.

"Marie Curie is something I'm passionate about and they've helped my family through cancer in the best way they could," he said.

"I've been looking into doing something over the past few years but with my cricket commitments it hasn't fell right in the diary. So when the opportunity came up I grabbed it with both hands and raise money for a great cause," he added.

The charity ride in October coincides with the T20 champions league and Englands tour in India, but Gale doesn't think this will be a problem.

"Obviously I haven't been involved with the full England set up yet, and its where I want to be," he said.

"My current form is pretty good at the moment and I want to get into the England side. But I can't put my life on hold every winter and wait for the call. If the England call comes then I'll drop out, and someone can fill my place but for the moment I'm not selected for England, so I'll be doing this bike ride," he added.

Yorkshire's recent eight wicket defeat to the Leicestershire Foxes has put a spanner in the works, if they want their quarter finals T20 dream to stay alive.

But Gale believes they still have everything to play for, by getting the result they need against Northampton tomorrow.

"It's important that we change our fortunes round and put it right on Friday night," said the White Rose skipper.

"I'm sure if we can get a win that confidence will give us a kick on and there's no reason why we can't win our last six games. We're not dead and buried yet."

Selection from andrew gale (student) by ladyjade21