England dealt with a massive jolt as star wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow has been ruled out of both third Test against Proteas and the upcoming T20 World Cup. Bairstow picked up an injury while playing gold as the the ECB described the incident, which left Bairstow with a 'lower-limb' injury as a "freak accident", which took place in Leeds on Friday (September 2).
"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," ECB said in a statement.
"Nottinghamshire batter Ben Duckett has been added to the Test squad for the LV= Insurance third Test at the Kia Oval starting next Thursday.
"A further announcement will be made in due course on who will replace Bairstow in England’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup squad," the ECB added.
Bairstow had been confirmed in England's T20 World Cup squad earlier on Friday (September 2), with managing director of England men's cricket Rob Key saying the Yorkshireman would open the batting.
Ben Duckett has been called up to the Test squad as cover for the South Africa game, which is due to start at the Kia Oval on Thursday, September 8.
“Unfortunately I am going to be unavailable of all games/ tours in the immediate future,” Bairstow wrote on Instagram. "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."
Bairstow's absence is a blow to England. He's a senior, in-form player plus the leading run-scorer in test cricket this year.
Meanwhile earlier on Friday (September 2) the England Men's selection panel named their 15-member squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 which will kick off in Australia in October and go on till November. Returning to the squad from injuries are seam bowlers Chris Woakes and Mark Wood, who last played for England during the Test tour of the West Indies back in March.
Among the names that are prominent and yet do not make the cut are Jason Roy, Sam Billings and James Vince, who were a part of the 2021 T20 World Cup hosted by India in UAE.
There are many new names on the side as Jos Buttler is ready to lead his country in his first ICC tournament as the skipper of the T20I team. He will have at his disposal the talents of Phil Salt, Harry Brook, Reece Topley and David Willey. The squad has seemingly been selected among England's best players from the recently concluded T20 Blast in their own country.
England ICC Men's T20 World Cup Squad
Jos Buttler (C), 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.
Joining the side as travelling reserves are Liam Dawson, Richard Gleeson, and Tymal Mills, who will be a part of the squad for their seven-match T20I series during their tour of Pakistan. They will be joined by uncapped players Will Jacks, Tom Helm, Jordan Cox, Olly Stone and Luke Wood.
