Advertisement

Jonny Bairstow's 'awful' news leaves cricket world 'gutted'

andrew reid
·4-min read
Pictured here, Jonny Bairstow looks on during a T20 match for England.
Jonny Bairstow suffered a freak accident at golf that could sideline him for the rest of the year. Pic: Getty

A "freak accident" while playing golf has ruled Jonny Bairstow out of the T20 World Cup in a huge blow to England's chances.

Just hours after being named in England's World Cup squad, Bairstow was forced to withdraw after suffering a possible broken leg when he slipped near a tee box at a golf course in North Yorkshire.

'DISAPPOINTED': Steve Smith's truth bomb for Cricket Australia

WELCOME BACK: Hobart Hurricanes' huge call on Tim Paine

The Yorkshire batsman had been in superb form this year, scoring 1,061 runs, including six centuries, in 10 Tests, while playing a key role in England's white-ball teams.

He is also ruled out of England's final Test against South Africa, starting next week.

The 32-year-old's bizarre injury puts a massive dent in England's hopes of winning both the South Africa series - currently level at 1-1 - and the T20 World Cup in Australia.

"Jonathan Bairstow has been ruled out of the rest of the summer and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup after sustaining a lower limb injury in a freak accident whilst playing golf on Friday in Leeds. He will see a specialist next week to ascertain the full extent of the injury," a statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board said on Friday.

Cricket fans immediately took to social media to share their disappointment at the shock news.

Jonny Bairstow to undergo surgery on leg

Bairstow revealed in a message on Instagram that he will need surgery on an injury that could effectively sideline him for the rest of the year.

"Unfortunately I am going to be unavailable for all games/tours in the immediate future. The reason being is that I have injured my lower leg in a freak accident and it shall need an operation," he wrote.

"The injury came when I slipped on the golf course this morning. I am gutted and want to wish everyone for this week at The Oval all the best firstly, and the boys that are going to Australia for the T20 World Cup. Absolutely gutted! I will be back..."

England director of cricket Rob Key had revealed earlier on Friday that Bairstow was due to open the batting alongside Jos Buttler at the T20 World Cup.

Seen here, Jonny Bairstow runs in the field during a Test match for England.
Jonny Bairstow's injury is a big blow for England's Test and T20 World Cup squads. Pic: Getty

That move was prompted by the decision to drop the out-of-form Jason Roy, but England will now have to rethink their plan after Bairstow's untimely slip.

Surrey's rising star Will Jacks could be in contention to replace Bairstow in the T20 team.

Jacks is in excellent form and has been included as one of five uncapped players in this month's T20 tour of Pakistan.

The ECB said an announcement about Bairstow's replacement in the 15-man World Cup squad will be made in due course.

Bairstow's Yorkshire team-mate Harry Brook is likely to make his Test debut against South Africa at the Oval in place of Bairstow, with Ben Duckett also drafted in as cover.

England's T20 World Cup squad:

Joss Buttler, Moeen Ali, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

Reserves: Liam Dawson, Richard Gleeson, Tymal Mills.

with agencies

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.