England's Jonny Bairstow talks about his path to recovery

Bairstow is hoping for a quick return [Twitter]

England batter Jonny Bairstow is optimistic about his return to international cricket. The right-handed batter underwent a successful surgery after a 'freak' golf injury broke his leg in September.

The severity of the injury has put Bairstow on the shelf, but the 33-year-old says he's on the right track to make a comeback.

“It (the leg) is improving, we’re on the right track, we’re about four-and-a-half months post it (the injury) happening now,” Bairstow said at the Marylebone Cricket Club ‘spirit of cricket’ panel.

Prior to his injury, Bairstow was in sensational form, especially in the Test format. The introduction of 'Bazball' approach benefited him the most and allowed the batter to play his natural attacking game.

He had slammed four Test centuries in the summer, at an average of 75.66, and England certainly missed his services, at-least in the ODI format. With the Ashes series slated to begin in June, Bairstow faces race against time to be fit for the Test summer.

“I haven’t actually got a return date just yet but I’m seeing a surgeon later on in the month so we’ll wait and see how that goes, but things are tracking in the right direction.

“It’s a bit more complicated than just breaking your leg, but that’s just one of the things that you deal with."

In his absence, Harry Brook has shouldered the responsibility to bat at number 5 in Test matches, and he did well in the recently concluded series against Pakistan. A fit and raring to go Bairstow will certainly find it difficult to slot back in the playing XI, especially with Brook in imperious form.

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