THE BAIRSTOW name features regularly at Pudsey Congs, but tomorrow night it will be Jonny rather than Andrew attempting to shine as Yorkshire continue their NatWest T20 Blast preparations.
The Vikings play a Bradford League XI in the first of three matches against league opposition, with them also visiting Harrogate on Tuesday and York on Wednesday.
Yorkshire opened their Blast account with a resounding seven-wicket win over Derbyshire at Headingley on Friday, in which Bairstow scored an unbeaten 40 in pursuit of just 129.
But they are taking advantage of a break in the county schedule to gain some match practice.
Australian World Cup winning all-rounder Glenn Maxwell will play tonight having been named as one five internationals in the Yorkshire team alongside Bairstow, Tim Bresnan, Liam Plunkett and Bradfordian Adil Rashid.
And Jonny said: “I’m looking forward to going over to Pudsey Congs and over to York as well.
“I’ve played at York, and my brother is from Pudsey Congs. It will be fantastic to go and play there.
“I’ve not played at Pudsey for a long, long time. I’m sure it will be a good crowd. Slightly hostile, I’m sure, but it will good fun. Hopefully we can put some more performances in and keep going.”
Maxwell is due to touch down in England today, having completed his commitments with Indian Premier League side Kings XI Punjab on Saturday.
These three matches will give the ex-Hampshire and Surrey man the ideal opportunity to find some form after failing to score a 50 in 11 innings for Kings XI.
The 26-year-old will make his competitive debut in Friday’s Blast clash with Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.
“He’s going to be raring to go. He’s been over there at the IPL, and I’m sure he’ll be chomping at the bit,” added Bairstow. “Hopefully he’ll be able to make a massive impact.
“He’s fitting into an already strong batting line-up. It will be good fun because you’ve still got Gary Ballance and Rooty to come back for one of the games (Lancashire at home). It will be interesting to see how the batting line up goes.”
Bradford League chairman David Young said: "It is really good that Yorkshire are sending such a star studded team. It gives a great opportunity to local cricket fans to see them play."
Yorkshire: Gale c, Bairstow w, Bresnan, Brooks, Hodd, Leaning, Lees, Maxwell, Plunkett, Pyrah, Rashid.
Bradford League: Fellows c, Stiff (both Hanging Heaton), Geldart, Patel (both Pudsey Congs), Khan (Lightcliffe), Smith, Watts, (both Pudsey St Lawrence), Nicholson, Free (both Cleckheaton), Wainman (Farsley), Hartley (Bradford and Bingley).
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