Bairstow signs three-year deal with Yorkshire

Jonny Bairstow will remain a Yorkshire player at least until the end of the 2018 season, after agreeing a three-year extension to his contract.

Bairstow, 26, is set to start the Boxing Day Test at Durban as England's designated wicketkeeper, but it was as a county batsman that he really made his mark last summer, scoring 1108 Division One runs at 92.33 to help Yorkshire to defend their County Championship title.

"I'm delighted to be signing a new contract," Bairstow said. "We had a tremendous season, lifting the county title for a second successive season. It is great to be part of a culture where winning and being successful is at the heart of what drives the team on.

"The players are determined more than ever to ensure that we continue to set the benchmark high. It is an exciting time to be part of Yorkshire and England cricket and I look forward to continuing to contribute to the success of both teams.

Bairstow warmed up for the first Test by making 35 from 46 balls on the opening day of England's three-day practice match, against a South Africa Invitational XI at Potchefstroom. He inherited the wicketkeeper's role from Jos Buttler for the third Test against Pakistan at Sharjah last month.

"From an England point of view, I'm enjoying being part of the national set-up and preparing well here in South Africa for the opening Test match in Durban on Boxing Day."

His director of cricket at Yorkshire, Martyn Moxon, said: "It is great news that Jonny has signed on. He has been a big part of our success in the last few years. As we all know, he is an extremely talented cricketer.

"He is maturing and is an integral part of what we do. His best years are yet to come. I have great admiration for Jonny and his talents. I hope that he can fulfil his full potential in the coming seasons.

"The next phase for him will be to achieve consistency in his performances with England. He has a great chance in South Africa to fulfil his goals against one of the best seam attacks in the world. We'll all be watching on hoping he and the other Yorkshire lads succeed."