England batter Jonny Bairstow has taken to social media to confirm he won’t play again for the rest of the year and to provide an update on his recovery from a leg injury.
Bairstow broke his leg while walking to a tee box in an innocuous golf accident last month and was immediately ruled out of the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia.
The 33-year-old has since successfully undergone surgery on his lower leg and is three weeks into his rehabilitation with a view to returning to playing sometime next year.
Bairstow used his Instagram account to provide an update on his injury and to release some pictures of his affected area.
“The actual injury was as such… a broken fibula in 3 places which required a plate, I dislocated my ankle which in turn meant I did my syndesmosis joint and lateral ligament along with a couple more bits,” the post read.
“All in all I have done a proper job on it!
“Anyway… on the positive side the operation went well and I am now 3 weeks post surgery and my staples have been removed. It’s now all about swelling prevention and getting my ankle moving once again.
“These next few weeks/couple of months are the key to the recovery.”
It means Bairstow will miss England’s Test tour of Pakistan in December this year and remains in some doubt for their two-Test series in New Zealand in February of 2023.
Next year’s Ashes series at home against Australia remains a key series for England as it will be part of the next ICC World Test Championship cycle.
“As for a time scale on return to play I’m afraid it is too early to say, the first targets in mind are getting me back on my 2 feet again and making sure its right,” Bairstow’s post continued.
“One thing is for sure and that is I shall not be partaking in anything more during 2022… however I cannot wait for what 2023 holds!!”
Bairstow had been in scintillating form for England this year, with the veteran right-hander having already made six centuries from 10 Test matches prior to the injury.
