Inspired selection of Bairstow is proof of his potential

That's a pretty big statement to make about a 20-year-old who has not yet scored a first-class hundred, but I honestly believe Bairstow can rise to that challenge.

At 30, Pietersen is closer to the sunset of his career than the sunrise and he will not be around forever.

Bairstow, who turns 21 tomorrow, is good enough to eventually fill the void left by arguably the most naturally gifted player of his generation.

Of course, one cannot compare Pietersen and Bairstow at the present time.

The former is a prince among batsmen, with a Test average nudging 50 and more accolades than you can shake a stick at, the latter merely a humble courtier at this stage of his development.

However, writing as one who covered Nottinghamshire when Pietersen played for the county after first arriving in England in 2001, I can see clear parallels between the two.

Pietersen, who was then himself only 21, was perhaps a more dominant presence at the crease than the Yorkshire youngster.

But Bairstow has echoes of Pietersen's flair and he times the ball as well as anyone in the country.

Moreover, his basic technique suggests he could possibly become a more complete batsman than Pietersen.

On the face of it, it is mildly remarkable that England have picked a player to go to Australia this winter as part of their Performance Programme who has not yet made a first-class century.

But that tells you all you need to know about Bairstow.

Forget the lack of a three-figure score – that is merely an irritating triviality for a man who has scored 14 half-centuries in his 28 first-class games and who will eventually make many hundreds.

Rather, England have picked Bairstow because they see something special lurking below the surface.

It is an inspired selection and good forward planning.

What England particularly like about Bairstow is his form under pressure.

Last summer, he helped Yorkshire over the line in three of their six County Championship wins at a time when those games could well have gone either way.

In the first match of the season, against Warwickshire at Edgbaston, Bairstow scored 81 to help Yorkshire to a four-wicket victory after they had looked in trouble at 123-5 chasing 291.

In the return game at Headingley Carnegie, he scored 64 not out in a six-wicket win.

And in the penultimate fixture against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge, Bairstow's undefeated 63 helped secure a five-wicket victory that gave Yorkshire a chance of the Championship title.

After that game, Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale said Bairstow "plays better under pressure when we need him most than he does when there's nothing at stake on a flat pitch."

That is a rare ability for a young player to have.

But Bairstow is more than a gutsy street-fighter.

There is a genuine class about his stroke-play which has shone like a beacon in his performances to date.

Crucially, he seems able to adapt to any situation.

If runs are needed when the pressure is on, Bairstow, as we have seen, can get them. If quick runs are required in one-day cricket, he can get them also. If the situation demands someone to get their head down, he can do that too. He ticks all the boxes and has every base covered.

This year, Bairstow has batted in the lower top-order but I think his best position will ultimately be No.4.

There were times last summer when he seemed a little wasted further down the order in one-day cricket and he did not have the time to stamp his authority.

Although he could well play for England before Pietersen bows out – no less a judge than Jacques Rudolph believes Bairstow will be playing for his country "within three years" – he could eventually fill Pietersen's position for many years to come.

The sky is the limit if he keeps progressing.

Bairstow, of course, is also an accomplished wicketkeeper and it will be interesting to see whether that side of his game is put on the backburner in order to help him develop his batting.

Ultimately, he could perform both roles in the Yorkshire side but it would be a shame if anything should detract from his main forte.

When Pietersen came to England, it is amusing to recollect that Nottinghamshire actually signed him as an off-spinning all-rounder.

Once they realised Pietersen could biff the ball out of the park on a regular basis, the off-spin took a predictable back seat.

However Bairstow is employed by club and country, this is a cricketer to keep an eye on.

Like Pietersen, he can become a pivotal member of the England side.