Root and Bairstow attracting the crowds for Headingley

England wrapped up an opening Test win against New Zealand on Sunday thanks in part to the telling batting contributions from Yorkshire’s young double act.

The clamour to see Root and Bairstow in England action on home soil has resulted in increased ticket sales at their home county.

Prior to last weekend, Yorkshire had sold more than 10,000 tickets for the first three days of the second Test, which begins on Friday.

Capacity at Headingley Carnegie is 17,500 and since England dispensed of the Black Caps with a day to spare in the capital, Yorkshire have seen a knock-on effect.

“Tickets are accelerating after the weekend with the Yorkshire players doing so well,” said a club spokesman. “We have been snowed under at the ticket office but we need that to continue in the run-up to Friday and beyond.

“We are getting close to decent numbers for the first three days.

“Some areas are close to being full, like the family areas and the North Stand on Friday and Saturday. There will be a walk-up service on all five days, although that should be monitored through the week, if, for instance, certain days sell out.”

Due to the demand, the ticket office at Headingley will be open until 7pm every night.

Yorkshire have also adopted a new ticketing policy for what they hope will be the most lucrative five days of their summer.

Punters can now print off tickets they purchase online, and present them at the turnstiles, much like they would when they check-in online with an airline.

“What we are trying to encourage now is people buying their tickets online,” added the spokesman. “People can buy their tickets online and print them off at home. It saves them queueing at the collection point. That is proving quite popular and is the best way to get tickets in the final days.”

Encouragingly, the weather forecast is for dry weather over the scheduled five days of the Test.

Veteran New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori may be in line to return for the second Test.

Vettori has not played international cricket for almost a year because of a Achilles injury, but is in the Kiwi squad for next month’s Champions Trophy in England.

The 34-year-old is due to arrive today, in time for three NatWest Series one-day internationals starting at Lord’s on May 31.

Bruce Martin is to leave the tour because of the calf injury which prevented him bowling during England’s second innings of the first Test so Vettori looks a likely replacement.