'Seriously talented boys': Jonny Bairstow full of praise for Yorkshire CCC team-mates

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And he is set for a more prominent role with the county this season as with Anthony McGrath now at the helm, they look to land a few blows on their return to Division One, as well as in white-ball cricket.

Bairstow, who linked up with Yorkshire on their pre-season camp in Dubai before a two-day game with Somerset starting on Friday, said: “It’s been great to get out here and catch up with the lads, they’ve had a great week with the white-ball stuff but we’re really excited to get into the red ball.

“I’ve had a great winter, went to South Africa, played over there and then came out here (Dubai) for the T10 as well. I had a bit of time at home as well so it’s been a nice winter and great to spend time with the boys at Headingley.

“We’ve got a great set of lads that are all trending in a fantastic direction and I’m really excited to be around some really seriously talented boys.”

With preparations well underway for their Championship opener away at Hampshire in 15 days time, every session counts from now until then.

“We always want to win,” continued Bairstow, “but it’s about the bowlers getting through their 10, 12, 15 overs in the two-day game.

“It’s about the batters spending time in the middle at the crease.

“We’re less than three weeks away from starting so anytime you get out in the middle you want to maximise your opportunity.

“We’ve got a couple of guys coming back from injury so it’s about getting the miles back in their body, getting overs into their legs, facing each other in the nets.”