JASON GILLESPIE expects Jonny Bairstow to build on his memorable winter with England and nail down his place in their Test Match middle order.

Gillespie was speaking after Bairstow was yesterday revealed as one of Wisden’s five Cricketers of the Year alongside Yorkshire overseas batsman Kane Williamson, the New Zealand captain.

Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum and Steve Smith were also honoured for their form during the last English summer.

Williamson, who arrives at Headingley in June for his latest spell with Yorkshire, was named by Wisden editor Lawrence Booth as the Leading Cricketer in the World after posting an exceptional 2,692 runs in all international cricket in 2015.

This was the all-time third highest aggregate.

Bairstow scored 1,108 County Championship runs for Yorkshire in 2015, while also scoring important runs for England in both one-day and Test cricket.

The 26-year-old’s maiden Test hundred - 150 not out - against South Africa at Cape Town in January was not taken into account.

“I’m really pleased for Jonny and Kane as well. It’s great recognition for their achievements in recent times,” said Yorkshire coach Gillespie. “It’s thoroughly deserved.

“Jonny has worked hard at his game, and he’s getting rewards. We saw in South Africa that he scored big runs as well as doing well behind the sticks.

“Hopefully that continues, and he can have a long and successful career with England.

“Getting that first Test hundred was a weight off his shoulders, I’m sure, even though it is just a number. However, to have that hundred in the column will be nice.

“It was a big hundred too. He didn’t just get to a hundred, he went on with it, which was good.

“Hopefully it’s a start of some good, solid performances for Jonny in that middle order. Being able to play his natural game and putting pressure back on bowlers regardless of the situation is when Jonny plays his very best.

“I think England are on a massive winner with Jonny coming in at seven. If they’re under the pump at 150-5, he can come in and be nice and aggressive and keep the scoreboard ticking. If they’re 350-5, he can kick them on.”

Bairstow was present at the Wisden dinner at Lord’s last night, which was why he was unavailable for yesterday’s final day of Yorkshire’s three-day friendly against Leeds/Bradford MCC Universities at Headingley.

Having said that, he did not miss anything as play was abandoned for the second day running, this time due to a wet outfield.

Only 74.4 overs were possible in the match, with the students reaching 225-8 on day one.

Despite their lack of match action on English soil, Gillespie insists Yorkshire are well prepared for Sunday’s Specsavers Division One opener against Hampshire.

“We’re building up to that first game, and I think the build-up’s been good,” he added.

“Ideally we’d have liked some of the batters to have spent a bit more time in the middle, but that’s just the nature of the beast.

“We’ve got a couple of more preparation days.

“We’ve had a lot of cricket, so I’ve got no issues. It’s been a long lead in to be honest, and we’ve played a lot of cricket. We feel fully prepared and ready to go.”