Herschelle Gibbs has backed Yorkshire’s youngsters to flourish, saying they can dominate county cricket within five years.

But the 36-year-old is still confident the Tykes can bring silverware back to Headingley this summer.

The South African international batsman has just finished a successful spell as the county’s overseas player in the Friends Provident Twenty20.

While Yorkshire failed to qualify for the quarter-finals, Gibbs scored 443 runs in 15 matches.

“It is a very young team, and I have been very impressed with what I have seen. There is a lot of talent in this team,” said Gibbs, who scored his first 20-over career century in a tie against Northamptonshire.

“I think the guys, in four or five years’ time, can be top of the tree in every form of cricket.

“Adil Rashid is bowling as well as I have ever seen any spinner bowl and Jonny Bairstow hits the ball as far as I think I have ever seen anyone hit it.”

Gibbs has been around the squad for their last two four-day fixtures, the draw against Lancashire at Old Trafford and the win over Warwickshire at Headingley.

He said: “They are top of the league in the Championship and CB40 and there is a lot of cricket still to be played. They have a great chance.”

Captain Andrew Gale, director of professional cricket Martyn Moxon and chief executive Stewart Regan are all open to the idea of Gibbs returning to Yorkshire next season.

And Gibbs is too, saying: “I would love to come back and see this young group of players develop. If I can have some sort of influence on them, that would be great.”