Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Batting coach John Sadler spoke at the end of day two against Surrey.
Yorkshire batting coach John Sadler hailed Jonny Bairstow’s fine day-two 72 against Surrey and then revealed the county captain’s desperation to play at his favourite ground despite the uncertainty surrounding the birth of his second child.
Bairstow advanced from 19 not out overnight amidst a weather-affected second day at North Marine Road.
Only 24.1 overs were bowled between 1pm and 2.35pm as the White Rose advanced their first innings from 282-4 to 376-5.
Bairstow completed a fifth-wicket partnership of 88 with Matthew Revis – 34 not out – and is one of three Yorkshire batters who have posted scores in the seventies alongside James Wharton 78 and Will Luxton 71.
“We know with Jonny that he can change a game in a session. He can win a game in a session. He’s that good,” said Sadler.
“There’s been certain games this year where he’s had to just play with a bit more responsibility than what he would in, potentially, an England dressing room in previous times.
“He played positively today, and he’s positive in everything he does.
“He’s fully all in with everything he does. If there’s a ball there to score off, he’s going to try and put it away, which is what he did today.
“He’s a world-class player, and he looked in good touch.”
There was uncertainty over Bairstow’s involvement in this game with the impending birth, and should his partner go into labour he would have to leave this game.
“We’re unsure what’s going to happen with the baby on the way,” said Sadler. “And that’s obviously the priority, 100 percent.
“But we know how desperate he was to play this game. It means a lot to him.
“The first thing he said as captain this week was how special a place Scarborough is and how he wants to embrace it. He’s been great.
“His leadership this year for us has been fantastic. He’s led from the front, as he always does, but he cares so deeply and so passionately about Yorkshire and everybody else doing well and helping Yorkshire to do well. So, this was a game that he certainly wanted to play.”
Only 110.1 overs have been possible across the first two days of this 10th round Rothesay County Championship fixture, but Yorkshire have had the better of it so far against a county who are chasing a fourth title. Surrey came into this game one point clear of Nottinghamshire at the summit.
“I think we’re in a great position,” added Sadler.
“Obviously losing time out of the game is a bit frustrating, but you never know. Things can happen fast here at Scarborough as the game unfolds.
“You can get runs quickly if you get on the roll and get two batters in. You can also, if the ball starts doing a bit and with a bit of luck, take wickets quickly as well.
“Time out of the game isn’t ideal, but it doesn’t mean we can’t force a result.”
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Jonny Bairstow acknowledges the applause following his sixth half-century of the Championship summer.
