England’s hard-hitting batter Jonny Bairstow announced his return from injury with a 97-run knock for Yorkshire 2nd XI against Nottinghamshire 2nd XI at Headingley, Leeds on April 25 as he missed the T20 World Cup cricket 2022. Bairstow fell three runs short of a century but picked right where he left off to entertain the crowd as he tormented Nottinghamshire 2nd XI bowlers.
Bairstow came out to bat at no.4 and faced eight deliveries before lunch break. He got to his half-century from 47 deliveries. For a better part of the innings, he looked in control, hammering the ball all around the park. He took advantage of unguarded third man boundary and continued to score at a good rate.
He had a few hiccups when he edged off Toby Pettman from the slip area and a mistimed chip shot landed safe away from the players. During his knock, he bashed the leg-spinner Calvin Harrison and hit Olly Stone’s short balls for boundaries. He lost his wicket to Stone in the 56th over of the innings. His 97-run knock was studded with 13 fours and two sixes.
Last year, Bairstow was in the form of his life when he suffered three separate fractures while golfing. The unfortunate incident left him with a dislocated ankle and ligament damage. The injury ruled him out of T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia where he was replaced by Alex Hales. Under Jos Buttler, England went on to win the trophy while Bairstow was going through rehabilitation.
In Bairstow’s absence, Harry Brook solidified his place in the Test squad with a stellar run. Brook fit right into head coach Brendon McCullum’s all out attack game plan. He tormented Pakistan bowlers on flat decks and got plenty records to his name. He continued this run in New Zealand as well and earned a Rs 13.25 crore contract from Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
Bairstow who is missing from SRH’s IPL squad is now preparing to make a comeback into the Test squad ahead of Ashes as England host Australia. Till then Bairstow will have plenty of chances to prove himself in domestic circuit.
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