Yorkshire's Jonny Bairstow keen on a second spin around India (From York Press)

Yorkshire's Jonny Bairstow keen on a second spin around India

10:11am Tuesday 22nd November 2011 in Yorkshire League By Graham Hardcastle

YORK ace Jonny Bairstow has revealed he is relishing the prospect of exorcising a few demons in India during the next month.

The wicketkeeper-batsman is heading back to the cricket mad country with the elite group of England Performance Programme players on a three-week training camp just five weeks after he was on the wrong end of a 5-0 one-day whitewash against the world champions.

Although he blazed a thrilling hundred in a warm-up match, the 22-year-old’s maiden full tour was a disappointment both personally and team wise.

His highest score was 35, while he also added three single figure scores.

Bairstow would be forgiven for admitting that he has had enough of India for the time being. But, indicating a great deal about his character, he is keen to get back on the horse as quickly as possible, especially seen as it also gives him the chance to impress Test captain Andrew Strauss.

“It was the first time I’d ever been to the sub-continent,” said the Yorkshire star. “I was put in the environment of international cricket for the first time – away from your home country – and it was tough.

“It was never going to be easy, but we will have learned from our experiences on and off the field.

“There are areas that we’re going to improve on, and that’s why we’re going back to India with the Performance Programme. I think it’s fantastic that we’re able to go back there for these three weeks, to learn how to play in those conditions and to groove your game.

“Then, if there is the opportunity to go back and play against India in the future, we’re well set and we can execute the skills that we’ve practiced previously.”

Not only are the Performance Programme camps – the bowlers go to South Africa – aiding the development of the country’s young guns, it will also help members of the current Test team prepare for their next challenge against Pakistan in the Middle East in January.

Fast bowlers Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad, Chris Tremlett and Graham Onions will all travel to South Africa, while Matt Prior, Eoin Morgan and Strauss will be on the plane with Bairstow later this week.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire’s Andy Fogarty has been named the ECB’s four-day groundsman of the year for 2011.