DESPITE only landing at 8am today in Manchester from India, Yorkshire’s new overseas player Glenn Maxwell still wanted to play for his county tonight at Pudsey Congs.

“I had a very enjoyable flight – first-class to Dubai and business class to Manchester,” said the 26-year-old Australian, who was disappointed not to be facing Bradford League representative side the JCT600ers in the latest of the county’s T20 warm-up matches.

“India may be different in terms of the weather but it is not such a big difference in terms of time zones.

“I had hoped to be playing. However, I am not allowed to travel and play on the same day.”

Maxwell, who has been representing Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League, now wants to prove himself in the longer format of the game in much the same way as fellow Australian Aaron Finch when he represented the white rose last season.

Relaxed Victorian all-rounder Maxwell said: “Statistically twenty20 is probably my worst format, and I am looking forward to playing some red-ball cricket – initially as cover for Aaron and then for Yorkshire second team when he comes back.

“It is great to be representing Yorkshire, especially after what they achieved last season in winning the County Championship.”

Although the Bradford League can be pleased with their efforts in front of around 1,000 spectators, the evening belonged to Jonny Bairstow, who helped Yorkshire recover from 18-2 to reach 236-5 by making an unbeaten 141 off just 59 balls in what was a T20 batting masterclass.

The Yorkshire and England wicket-keeper hit an incredible 14 sixes, many of which appeared to be no more them sweetly-timed flicks, and nine fours, and was backed up by Alex Lees (46) and Rich Pyrah (21) after the early dismissals of Andrew Hodd and skipper Andrew Gale.

It was always going to be a tall order for the JCT600ers but at least Suleman Khan (47) and James Smith (36) played noteworthy cameos and the team had the satisfaction of making 190-8 against a county attack that included the pace of Liam Plunkett (1-22) and Jack Brooks (2-24), and the guile of Tim Bresnan (1-29).