The son of the former England wicketkeeper David Bairstow, Jonny's talent with the bat was evident from an early age. An early starter with Yorkshire's Under-15s, he was named Young Wisden Schools Cricketer of the Year in 2007 having already played for Yorkshire's Second Eleven and their Academy side, and represented England Under-17. He enjoyed a fine 2008 season for Yorkshire seconds, scoring 308 runs at 61.60 in the Second XI Championship, and in October of that year followed in his father's footsteps by signing a full-time contract with Yorkshire.