Absentees will open door for others at Yorkshire

Root’s career-best 236 and Bairstow’s 186 helped Yorkshire to a first innings total of 677-7 declared against Derbyshire at Headingley – the joint fourth-highest score in Yorkshire’s history – before new signing Jack Brooks took 5-40 to bowl Derbyshire out for 163 and seal victory by an innings and 39 runs after the visitors had scored 475 in their first innings.

Root and Bairstow will miss next week’s County Championship match against Somerset at Headingley after being selected to play for the England Lions, and they may not play much more for Yorkshire this season due to international commitments.

But Gillespie is adamant Yorkshire can still flourish without the talented duo – along with fellow England star Tim Bresnan – after watching his side lay down a marker with a second victory in three Championship games.

“I’m confident we can keep it going without Joe and Jonny,” said first-team coach Gillespie.

“They’ve done wonderfully well for us and their performances in this game were incredible, but it gives an opportunity to other guys.

“We’ve got wicketkeeper Andrew Hodd who will slot back into the side in place of Jonny, and we’ll have to decide who comes in for Joe in the next few days.

“I’m absolutely pleased for Joe and Jonny to have the opportunity to play for England and the England Lions, and although you always want guys like that around as much as possible, I’m certainly confident we can cope in their absence.”

After recording the fourth-highest run-chase in their history against Durham on Saturday, inspired by Root’s imperious 182, Yorkshire’s triumph yesterday was every bit as remarkable in its own way after they conceded a sizeable first innings score.

Gillespie said his players believe they can win from almost any position.

“The lads have got that belief and it’s a great thing for a team to have,” he added.

“We had a great win up at Durham and then to back that up was fantastic.

“If ever we’re in tough situations like that again, the lads can draw on the experience.

“To have 475 scored against us in the first innings and then win by an innings was pretty special.”