Jonny Bairstow has won the battle against Gerard Brophy to keep wicket in Yorkshire’s LV= County Championship opener against Worcestershire at New Road, which starts today.

The 21-year-old York-based star caught the eye of captain Andrew Gale during the recent England Lions tour of the West Indies and so gets the nod for the specialist role – with a lengthy stint behind the stumps now in the offing. Brophy is also in the team, though, as his out-fielding has improved and his batting is good enough to secure him a spot without the gloves.

“Jonny will take the gloves because I feel as though the time’s right for him to be given a good go now,” explained Gale.

“He’s been waiting in the wings for a while – but, if he’s going to be the ’keeper at Yorkshire for the next ten years, he needs that experience.

“I spoke to Gerard around Christmas time and told him that he needed to work hard on his fielding if he was going to get in the team. He has done.

“He was quite impressive in the field this week – and, like I said at press day, he’s in the form of his life with the bat.”

There is also a place at number three for batsman Joe Root, 20, who will make his Championship debut because Anthony McGrath is still not fully fit after complications following knee surgery.

McGrath was named in the provisional squad of 14 and has travelled with them to the Midlands to work on his fitness.

Gale said the former England batsman was “not too far away now” and he is expected to face Durham at Headingley on Thursday.

Root, who played a 40-over match at the back end of 2009, has spent the vast majority of the winter at the Darren Lehmann Cricket Academy in Adelaide.

He is not the first current Yorkshire player to have spent time with the White Rose legend in South Australia, following in the footsteps of Ajmal Shahzad, Adam Lyth, Oliver Hannon-Dalby and David Wainwright.

“I think that camp has worked pretty well for us over the last few years,” said Gale.

“We sent Ajmal there a few years back and he came back in tremendous shape. It has been a similar story with the likes of Olly, Wainers, Lythy and now Joe.

“It’s more of a fitness-based camp rather than cricket, but there’s still some valuable cricket lessons to be learnt.

“It probably gives players that kick up the backside they need when they’re young.

“Boofer (Lehmann) was there for a little bit, but I think he was working alongside other coaches.

“Seeing Boof there will be an inspiration to the lads because he’s such a big name in Yorkshire cricket – a legend.

“The reports we had back on Joe were outstanding. Since he’s come back, he’s really looked the part. He’s been brilliant in training.”

Root, who played his grade cricket with the Prospect club, added: “I feel in great knick now, and going out there was a massive help to my game.

“I feel fitter, sharper and in a good place to start the season.

“It was pretty tough on the fitness of things, but playing cricket through the winter was a massive advantage.”