England veteran wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow admitted that the ankle injury he sustained during the last year could have ended his cricketing career and revealed that surgeons were surprised about his recovery from the injury to play professional sport in a short period.
Bairstow was recalled as England’s Test wicketkeeper at the expense of Ben Foakes for next month’s one-off Test against Ireland. The 33-year-old has not played cricket since suffering a freak injury on a golf course in September before, which ruled him out of the 2022 Twenty20 World Cup and IPL 2023.
Jonny Bairstow slowly has recovered from the injury, speaking to the media about his injury. The England star said that they were doubts about him playing cricket again after picking that nasty injury and revealed that surgeons were pleasantly surprised by his recovery to International Cricket.
“You just don’t know how bad it’s going to be. It could have ended my career. I’ve got nine pins, and a wire that goes through my ankle, and I’ve had nine months out. I’m still only 10 months post-operation right now.
“So when you speak to the surgeon and he says ‘I’m surprised you’re walking and running, never mind playing professional sport’, I’m delighted to be where I’m at,” Jonny Bairstow said.
The wicketkeeper-batter played exceedingly well in the 4th test to play counter-attacking knock on Friday to score an unbeaten 99* in the crucial game. Jonny Bairstow has been in sensational form in red-ball cricket in 2022 scoring four brilliant centuries–and has been a mainstay in Ben Stokes-led side before an injury kept him out of the side.
There’s Been A Lot That’s Happened In Those Nine Months – Jonny Bairstow
Jonny Bairstow feels that it was a rollercoaster ride in the last year or so, as he was constantly having aches and pain in the ankle and expressed his gratitude to make a comeback into International Cricket after having a major accident in nine months.
“There are times when there are aches and pains and people are saying you’re limping, well, yeah, I am at times, because a lot is going on in the ankle, and other bits that people won’t understand.
“It’s been a rollercoaster. There’s been a lot that’s happened in those nine months. And to come out and take the field again, with a group of boys that I care a heck of a lot about, is a special place for me to be,” Jonny Bairstow added.
The 33-year-old broke his left leg and dislocated his ankle days before the start of the final Test between England and South Africa. It is reported that he broke his leg while enjoying golf with mates in Yorkshire and the right-handed batter will be crucial for the England team in the ODI World Cup later this year.