Yorkshire’s Jonny Bairstow is relishing the prospect of returning to Scarborough to continue his England Lions career next week.

The wicketkeeper-batsman based in York has been named in a 12-man party for Tuesday’s four-day match against the touring Sri Lankan ‘A’ side and then three more one-day matches against the same opponents later next month.

Bairstow has scored three half-centuries in five LV= County Championship matches there, including a superb 84 not out during his breakthrough season of 2009.

The right-hander also received his county cap at the North Marine Road ground prior to the recent Championship win over Worcestershire.

It is a ground where his late father, David, also equalled the world record with 11 catches in a Championship match against Derbyshire in 1982.

“We’ve played there already this year. It’s a very nice ground, and one that I feel at home at,” said 21-year-old Bairstow. “Any benefit that you can get from playing at somewhere like that is helpful.

“It’s good to have a game like this at Scarborough because it’s a great place to play cricket.

“Obviously there’s family links there, which makes it a special ground. To get my cap there was very pleasing, but it’s a special ground for all the Yorkshire boys to be honest.

“It’s somewhere that all the Yorkshire players enjoy playing at, all the spectators enjoy going to watch, and it’s special when you go there twice a year.”

Unlike county colleague Joe Root, who is in the Lions squad for the first time, Bairstow has been there and done it.

He toured the Caribbean with the Lions over the winter before playing against the full Sri Lanka team at Derby in May.

Even so, it is still a feather in his cap to get recognised by the national selectors on the back of 865 runs and 28 catches behind the stumps from ten Championship matches this season.

“Obviously I’m pleased to get the call-up, and hopefully I can go there and do well,” he continued.

“It’s disappointing to be missing the big game down at Hampshire with the Yorkshire lads, but I’m sure the boys will do well and come out on top without me and Joe.

“It’s always disappointing not to be playing for Yorkshire, but pleasing at the same time to get some more recognition with the Lions.”

It has not yet been revealed whether Bairstow will keep wicket in the four-day clash due to Craig Kieswetter’s presence in the squad.

But, being the only ’keeper in the one-day party, he is in line to don the gloves at Worcester and Northampton.

He added: “Keeping as much as possible is what I want to do whether that be for Yorkshire or the Lions.

“Keeping in any game is great because it helps with my development as a cricketer.”

Bairstow was due to be in Clydesdale Bank 40 action for Yorkshire against Sussex under lights at Hove last night.

He is also available for Sunday’s trip to the Netherlands.