Jonny Bairstow has been appointed as the new captain of Yorkshire, following in the footsteps of his late father, David Bairstow, who led the county from 1984 to 1988. Bairstow will take the reins as Yorkshire returns to Division One of the County Championship, while Dawid Malan will lead the side in the T20 Blast.
A Proud Yorkshire Legacy
Born in Bradford, Bairstow’s roots with Yorkshire run deep. He progressed through the county’s ranks and played a crucial role in their 2015 County Championship title win, amassing 1108 runs at an astonishing average of 92.33 in just nine matches. By that time, he had also established himself in the England team, contributing to their Ashes victory that same year.
At 35, Bairstow is currently out of the England squad despite holding an ECB central contract. He earned his 100th Test cap during England’s tour of India in early 2024, and his last international appearance was in the T20 World Cup semi-final against India in June.
Bairstow’s appointment comes after the departure of former captain Shan Masood, who left for Leicestershire. The transition to new leadership continued over the winter with the arrival of Anthony McGrath as head coach, replacing Ottis Gibson, who guided the team to promotion from Division Two.
With no commitments to the IPL due to not being picked in the auction and the ECB preventing red-ball players from joining the PSL, Bairstow will be available from the start of Yorkshire’s season, which begins next week against Hampshire.
“I am incredibly proud to be named captain of Yorkshire,” Bairstow said. “The county is close to my heart, and I take immense pride in representing the club. Last year’s promotion was a significant achievement after a difficult period for the club, and I’m excited about what lies ahead.”
Bairstow emphasized the resilience of the younger players who endured challenging times during Yorkshire’s recent turmoil. “The younger guys, who went through a lot three years ago, have shown remarkable character. That resilience will be crucial as we face the challenges of Division One,” he added.
Eyes on the England Comeback and Silverware
While Bairstow’s immediate focus is on Yorkshire, he remains determined to reclaim his spot in the England setup. With a five-Test series against India this summer and an Ashes tour later in the year, Bairstow is eager to prove his worth.
“We need to stay grounded, but I firmly believe we are good enough to win silverware—whether it happens this year or further down the line,” he said.
Dawid Malan Takes Charge of T20 Blast
Dawid Malan will captain Yorkshire in the T20 Blast, bringing extensive experience to the role. Malan, who joined from Middlesex in 2019, signed a two-year extension last summer. With England regulars Joe Root and Harry Brook unavailable for the early rounds due to international commitments, Malan will play a key role in the Championship’s opening stages as well.
“It’s a proud moment to captain Yorkshire in any format,” Malan said. “With the new coaching staff and leadership team, it’s an exciting time for the club. Our goal is to establish a strong foundation in white-ball cricket.”
Malan boasts a stellar record in T20 cricket, having been the world’s No. 1 T20 batsman in 2020. He was also a part of England’s T20 World Cup-winning squad in 2022. Although he retired from international cricket in 2023 after England’s disappointing ODI World Cup campaign, Malan remains confident in his abilities.
“Did I think I was still good enough to play for England? Absolutely,” he said. “But cricket moves on. Now, my focus is on helping Yorkshire succeed in all formats.”
Ending Yorkshire’s White-Ball Drought
Despite Yorkshire’s success in red-ball cricket, their record in white-ball competitions remains underwhelming. They are one of only four counties yet to win the T20 Blast, having reached Finals Day just three times (2012, 2016, and 2022). Malan is determined to change that.
“It’s surprising given the talent we’ve had over the years,” Malan remarked. “We’ve been close, but now it’s about fine-tuning and making those small adjustments to push us over the line.”
Yorkshire has made key signings to strengthen their T20 squad, including Australian all-rounder Will Sutherland and New Zealand pacer Will O’Rourke. Malan highlighted the importance of having overseas players available throughout the tournament.
“Injuries and lack of consistent overseas players have hurt us in the past,” Malan said. “With Sutherland and O’Rourke on board for the Blast, we have a stronger squad capable of handling the tough moments.”
A stand-in captain for Yorkshire’s One-Day Cup campaign will be announced later.
A New Era for Yorkshire Cricket
With Bairstow and Malan leading the charge, Yorkshire is entering a new era filled with promise. Both captains bring a wealth of experience and a shared ambition to return the club to the summit of English cricket.
As Yorkshire embarks on their Division One journey and aims to break their white-ball trophy drought, fans will be hoping that this new leadership duo can deliver success on both fronts.
