Yorkshire sign Bairstow junior

Jonathan Bairstow, the son of former England and Yorkshire wicketkeeper David, has signed a professional contract with the White Rose county.

The deal will keep the promising batsman, who also keeps wicket, at Headingley Carnegie until the end of the 2011 season.

He joins Azeem Rafiq and Gary Ballance, who signed similar deals last week, as junior professionals.

Bairstow, who turned 19 last month, enjoyed a successful 2008 season. He added to his Academy performances by scoring 308 runs in the Second XI Championship at an average of 61.60, which included 139 not out against Worcestershire at Headingley.

David Bairstow kept wicket for Yorkshire and occasionally England in the 1970s and 80s

He impressed enough to come close to a LV County Championship debut when he was included in the squad which travelled to Sussex for the final game of the season.

In 2007 he became the inaugural winner of the Young Wisden Schools Cricketer of the Year after averaging 218 for St Peter's School in York.

Yorkshire chief executive Stewart Regan said: “It is terrific news that Jonathan Bairstow has signed a professional contract with the club for the next three years.

“It bodes well for the future that young players of the quality of Jonathan, Azeem Rafiq and Gary Ballance have committed their future to Yorkshire.”

Bairstow said: “It's every Yorkshire boy’s dream to play for this club and to sign my first contract is very special.

“This is where the really hard work starts now, to move on in the professional ranks and do well enough to get into first team contention. I'm looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

David Bairstow, who committed suicide in 1998, was a firm favourite with the Yorkshire public during the 1970s and 1980s.

He played four Tests and 21 one-day internationals between 1979 and 1984.