'Have Sympathy For Ben Foakes, But...': Jonny Bairstow on England Comeback

image-lhsqo491Jonny Bairstow played two County Championship 2023-23 matches for Yorkshire [Source: Twitter]


On expected lines, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) included star wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow for England's one-off Test against Ireland next month. Bairstow, who made a return to cricket for Yorkshire last month, has been out of international action since September after suffering a near career-threatening leg injury.

Speaking to Inews, Bairstow expressed his delight over recovering from an injury, which he thought would leave him disabled. The wicket-keeper had regained form under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes' regime, stock-piling runs with BazBall approach, recording as many as four centuries last summer. 

The Yorkshire batter also talked about replacing Ben Foakes in England's Test side, who has been phenomenal with the gloves in his absence.

Here's what Bairstow said

“Low points? There’s naturally been a few. You wonder whether or not you’ll be able to walk again, jog again, run again, play cricket again. Absolutely, those things do go through your mind.

We’re very lucky to have some amazing fans in this country but on the other side there are some people who like to have swipe at you whether you’ve done good, bad or indifferent. There is, though, sympathy for Foakes. I’ve also been in that situation so I can absolutely feel for him. But that’s also the nature of sport as well, it’s not me that’s made those decisions. It’s one of those unfortunate things that happen in professional sport.”

The 33-year-old further explained that the injury won't have any impact on his wicketkeeping skills, having played two Yorkshire County matches.

​The one-off Test against Ireland gets underway on June 1, before the all-important 'The Ashes 2023', which starts June 16.