CRICKET
Bairstow injured while playing golf, out of T20 World Cup
England batter Jonny Bairstow has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup after a freak leg injury while playing golf on Friday, September 2.
He is also out of the third Test against South Africa, that will be held next week at the Oval.
An ECB statement said, “Bairstow sustained 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 further announcement will be made in due course on who will replace Bairstow England’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup squad.”
The injury is a massive blow for England as Bairstow has been in brilliant form through the year.
With six hundreds and over 1000 runs in Test cricket in 2022, Bairstow was England’s leading run-getter and also stood third in ‘runs scored across all formats’ in international cricket this year.
Bairstow also shed light on his injury in an Instagram post.
“Unfortunately I am going to be unavailable of 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.”
“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.”
Ben Duckett of Nottinghamshire will replace Bairstow for the third test against South Africa.
This injury opens the door for veteran opener Jason Roy who was left out of the T20 World Cup squad.
Roy has had a bad summer both with England and in The Hundred, averaging 8.5 over six innings for Oval Invincibles and making three ducks.
The T20 World Cup begins on October 16.
England T20 World Cup squad
Jos Buttler (captain), 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.