Bairstow’s future looks bright at Yorkshire and England

At some point this summer, Yorkshire’s Jonathan Bairstow will score his maiden first-class century.

It would seem to be only a matter of time.

With apologies to Dame Vera Lynn, I don’t know where and I don’t know when, but I know Bairstow will score a ton some sunny day – or perhaps even a cloudy one.

The 21-year-old is just too good for the wait to go on much longer.

That Bairstow has not yet reached three-figures has been more by bad luck than judgment. In 31 first-class games that have brought him 1,676 runs at 42.97, Bairstow has scored 15 fifties – eight of which have been not out.

In February, Bairstow again fell agonisingly close when making a career-best 85 for England Lions against Combined Campuses and Colleges at Barbados.

“Obviously, it would be nice to get a three-figure score, but it’s not something I’m massively concentrating on,” said Bairstow, who helped Yorkshire seal three of their six Championship wins last summer with key half-centuries.

“If I keep doing my processes right, then I’m sure it will come naturally.

“If selected, I just want to keep doing well for Yorkshire and contributing in any way I can.

“Everything else will take care of itself.”

Bairstow could be a key player this season.

Regardless of his wait for a three-figure score, his batting statistics would suggest he is future England material.

Bairstow is already highly-regarded by the selectors – a fact emphasised by his involvement with the England Performance Squad and the England Lions during the winter, which included a spell as 12th man during the Brisbane Ashes Test.

But his focus is firmly on doing well for Yorkshire.

“I had a really enjoyable winter and I hope to put that to good use this year,” he added.

“It was a great experience to be part of a different set-up and to learn about different conditions.”

Bairstow believes Yorkshire can build on their third-placed finish in last year’s Championship.

“We’ve got a great group of players and the talent to do well,” he insisted.

“People will know a bit more about us as a team and as a group of individuals, but we’re confident we can deal with that.

“It’s going to be an interesting year – you can’t look at the teams in the Championship and say they’re going to be at the top or they’re going to be at the bottom.

“It’s very difficult to predict, and we’re all looking forward to it,” he said.

[email protected]