Barney Gibson today rewrote the record books when he became the youngest Yorkshire player in history.

In fact, as the Bradford League player strode out on a chilly north-east morning to keep wicket against Durham MCCU, he was about to become the youngest person ever to play first-class cricket in England.

Gibson’s feat ended a 144-year record set by Charles Young of Hampshire, who played at the age of 15 years and 131 days in 1867.

At the tender age of just 15 years and 27 days – 104 days earlier than the appropriately-named Young – Gibson’s achievement might not be bettered for a while yet.

Gibson admitted: “I was astonished when they told me I would be playing for the first team. It has really shocked me and it feels like a dream really.”

The youngster, who plays his club cricket for Pudsey Congs, took up the sport when he was ten after initially watching dad Mark play for a works team.

The fact that he was able to make his Yorkshire debut at all in this three-day friendly is down to his school.

The Crawshaw pupil quipped: “They have to give me permission to play – but it was probably a good day to avoid.

“I was supposed to have triple science, double Maths and RE. They have sent me up here with some homework to do though.”

It took Gibson less than ten overs to make his mark, producing a brilliant low catch off Oliver Hannon-Dalby to give his side their first breakthrough on a day which saw David Wainwright emerge as the key bowler.

The Yorkshire spinner finished with career-best figures of 6-40 as the students were bowled out for just 196, which included a second catch for Gibson off Wainwright.

It marked a return to form for 26-year-old Wainwright, who has only played in one County Championship game so far this season after an injury-hit 2010.

Opener Chris Jones did provide some early resistance but when he fell for 69 just after lunch, the Durham MCCU innings began to crumble.

Wainwright picked up all four wickets to fall in the afternoon session, before stand-in captain Joe Sayers snared three late batsmen himself to leave Yorkshire in control.

There was still time for the Tykes to then excel with the bat too as Gary Ballance, who finished on 72 not out, and Sayers (39no) closed the day just 78 runs behind on 118-0.