Jonny Bairstow, the England wicketkeeper-batter who plays for Punjab Kings, will not be playing in IPL 2023 due to a freak injury he suffered in September 2022. ESPNcricinfo reports that Bairstow is still recovering and will be replaced by uncapped Australian batter Matthew Short. This article discusses Bairstow’s injury and recovery, his replacement in IPL 2023, and his future prospects with the England team.
Jonny Bairstow Injury and Recovery
Bairstow broke his left leg and dislocated his ankle in September 2022, just days before the third and final Test of England’s home series against South Africa. The injury occurred while playing golf with friends, and it required surgery to insert a plate to mend the multiple fractures in his fibula. Bairstow also sustained ligament damage, which has kept him out of cricket ever since.
Bairstow resumed training with the England team in late February 2023 as part of his rehabilitation, and he has recently started batting in the Yorkshire nets. He aims to play a couple of games in the County Championship in May, potentially while keeping wicket, in order to reach full fitness in time for England’s next Test against Ireland at Lord’s on June 1. The ECB is reportedly happy with Bairstow’s progress and confident he will be ready to play a full part in the Ashes series starting on June 22.
Jonny Bairstow Replacement in IPL 2023
The Punjab Kings, via the BCCI, had been waiting for Bairstow’s exact fitness status from the ECB before deciding on his replacement for IPL 2023. It is understood that the BCCI informed the Kings on Saturday to go ahead with the replacement, and the franchise confirmed the news later that day. The replacement for Bairstow will be uncapped Australian batter Matthew Short, who had an outstanding Big Bash League season recently.
Matthew Short: A Player to Watch Out For
Matthew Short is an all-format player from Victoria, Australia, who plays for the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League. He was the Player of the Tournament in the recent BBL season, where he scored 458 runs at an average of 35.23 and a strike rate of 144.47. His best performance was an unbeaten 100 in a chase of 230 to beat Hobart Hurricanes. Short is also a handy offspinner and took 11 wickets in the tournament at an economy of 7.13. His athleticism in the field is also noteworthy.
Jonny Bairstow Future with the England Team
Brendon McCullum, England’s Test coach, has previously indicated that Bairstow will come straight back into the side when fit. However, finding a role for him will not be straightforward since Harry Brook, his replacement at No. 5, has made a stellar start to his international career with four hundreds in his first six Tests. Zak Crawley and Ben Foakes appear to be the most vulnerable players in the side, but leaving either out would necessitate a rebalancing of the team.
Recognized as one of the world’s leading all-format batters, Bairstow’s absence is bound to have an impact on Kings’ strategy. Last IPL, Bairstow scored 253 runs in 11 innings, averaging 23.00 with a strike rate of 144.57 and two half-centuries. Initially, it may mean Bhanuka Rajapaksa is given an opportunity.
Also Read:
- PBKS Squad 2023 | PBKS Team 2023 Player List | Complete Punjab Kings (PBKS) Squad and Players List for IPL 2023
- PBKS Schedule 2023: Punjab Kings Time Table, Timings, Squad, Dates, and Venues Details
Conclusion
In conclusion, it has been confirmed that Jonny Bairstow will not be playing in the IPL 2023 season due to the injury he sustained in September 2022. Bairstow’s absence is bound to have an impact on Kings’ strategy, and it will be interesting to see how they adjust their game plan in his absence. Meanwhile, uncapped Australian batter Matthew Short has been named as Bairstow’s replacement for the upcoming season.
Short is an exciting prospect who had an impressive Big Bash League campaign, and Kings will be hoping that he can bring his form to the IPL. It remains to be seen how Bairstow’s injury will affect his role in the England cricket team, with several players performing well in his absence. However, with his proven track record as one of the world’s leading all-format batters, Bairstow will undoubtedly be looking to make a big impact upon his return to the national side.
FAQs
When did Jonny Bairstow get injured?
Bairstow suffered a freak injury in September 2022, when he broke his left leg and dislocated his ankle while playing golf with friends.
Who will replace Jonny Bairstow in the IPL 2023?
Matthew Short, an uncapped Australian batter, will replace Jonny Bairstow for the Punjab Kings in the IPL 2023.
When is Jonny Bairstow expected to return to cricket?
Bairstow is expected to play a couple of games in the County Championship in May, and the England vs Ireland Test on June 1, as part of his rehabilitation process. The ECB is confident that he will return in time to play a full part in the Ashes, which starts on June 22.
What is Matthew Short performance history?
Short was the Player of the Tournament at the recent Big Bash League, where he scored 458 runs – the second-highest in the tournament – at an average of 35.23 and a strike rate of 144.47. He is also a handy offspinner and took 11 wickets in all, at an economy of 7.13.