Jonny Bairstow is set to step into some truly significant shoes, following in the path of his late father, David, as Yorkshire’s new red-ball captain, while Dawid Malan takes the reins for the T20 squad.
Yorkshire had been holding off on officially appointing Bairstow, waiting until just before the county season kicks off. Initially, the 35-year-old was keeping his options open for possible stints in the Pakistan Super League or Indian Premier League. However, with those factors now settled, he’s committed to leading Yorkshire’s charge back to Division One.
David Bairstow held the captaincy from 1984 to 1987, and now, nearly 40 years later, his son Jonny is set to carry on the legacy.
“My dad spent two decades playing here, and he was captain too. Not many fathers and sons get to share that distinction,” Bairstow reflected.
“This club is a part of who I am, and representing Yorkshire on the field fills me with immense pride. Doing that as captain in what promises to be an exciting season is a true honor.
“If they’d come to me a decade ago, I’d have jumped at the opportunity. It’s one of the most prestigious clubs worldwide, and honestly, it would be tough to say no.”
### Captaincy Experience
Despite his extensive experience in cricket, having played 100 Tests and 187 limited-overs internationals, Bairstow’s captaincy experience at the senior level is limited. He has only captained in one T20 match back in 2015 and two games with Welsh Fire in The Hundred.
When asked about his leadership style, he said, “I’ve had the privilege of playing under a diverse range of captains over many years, from Mags (Yorkshire head coach Anthony McGrath), Andrew Strauss, and Eoin Morgan to Ben Stokes. I’ve learned a lot along the way.
“That said, I’ll bring my own unique style to the role. Whether it turns out to be right or wrong, I’m good with that.”
As for Malan, who once held the title of the world’s top T20 batter and clinched a World Cup victory in the format in 2022, his mission is to lead Yorkshire to their first victory in the Vitality Blast.
### International Window Closed
At 37, Malan is dedicating himself fully to this new role, having made peace with the close of his international career—though, in his mind, it came too soon.
“Do I believe I was still capable of playing last year? Absolutely,” he remarked.
“They pay someone handsomely to make those calls, and the decision didn’t fall in my favor. Unfortunately, in English cricket, too much emphasis is placed on age rather than performance.
“I didn’t rack up as many runs as I’d have liked in T20 for a period, but I delivered consistently in 50-over cricket over the past year and a half.
“Life moves on. Dwelling on decisions with regret or bitterness only leads to loneliness.
“I had a great stint with England, but that chapter’s closed. Now, my focus and efforts are entirely devoted to Yorkshire.”
For further insights, see: Jonny Bairstow on why he’d be ‘foolish’ to rule out an England recall.
