Jonny Bairstow has been backed to shine for England this summer by county and international colleague Joe Root.

Bradford-born Bairstow picked the perfect time to score an entertaining 131 during the second day of Yorkshire’s three-day friendly against Lancashire at Headingley.

It came just a day after Kevin Pietersen was ruled out of next month’s two-match Test series against New Zealand due to an ongoing knee problem.

Yorkshire were reduced to 106-5 in response to 269-7 declared before Bairstow and fellow centurion Adil Rashid, also from Bradford, added a sixth-wicket stand of 184 in 37 overs either side of tea in exhilarating fashion to boost the home side’s score to 381-8 from 87 overs at close.

Bairstow, who hit 21 fours and a six in 159 balls, has endured a stop-start Test career during the last 12 months, having been dropped three times.

But the 23-year-old is the man in possession of a middle-order place having played in last month’s final Test against the Kiwis in Auckland.

“He’s obviously a very talented young lad,” said Root, who will almost certainly play against Brendon McCullum’s side at Lord’s and Headingley.

“He’s had quite a tough year but he’s a very strong character. I know how good he is – and he does too. Hopefully this year he can show the rest of the world how good he is as well.”

Root scored just 11 on his return to county colours after a memorable winter saw him play in his first four Tests, eight one-day and two Twenty20 internationals.

Rashid was excellent during his 115-ball 103, which included 13 fours and three sixes.