Captain Bairstow's IPL switch leaves a huge hole to be filled at Yorkshire

Jonny Bairstow said it himself. "These decisions are never straightforward.

- by Chris Waters

The Yorkshire captain knew that he would be polarising opinion after accepting an offer to sign for Mumbai Indians as a replacement player for the knockout stages of the Indian Premier League.

And as a man whose shoulders are as broad as his bat, he will be big enough to take the resulting fall-out.

It came, sure enough, on social media, where shades of grey are not often to be seen.

On Yorkshire's own Twitter feed, Bairstow's loyalty and commitment were questioned, the majority reacting in hostile terms. "Lord Hawke and Brian Close turning in their graves," said one. "Would expect the Yorkshire captain to put Yorkshire first," said another, the strength of feeling clear.