Extent of James Anderson and Stuart Broad’s Injuries Unknown: Jonny Bairstow
England’s middle-order batsman Jonny Bairstow has revealed that the team does not know whether they will be missing the services of both James Anderson and Stuart Broad. The veteran pacers are struggling with fitness-related issues, with Broad being ruled out of the second Test entirely.
Anderson on the other hand is a doubtful starter, as he’s struggling with a tight quad. When asked about their availability on the eve of the Lord’s Test, Bairstow said that they haven’t received any news as of yet. If both are ruled out, England will be hugely handicapped going into the game tomorrow.
“We don’t really have much information. We know that Broad has gone for scans, we don’t know anything else. It’s a big loss for the team (if they’re ruled out) – both have over 1000 wickets between them – but it’s also an opportunity for others, just like it was against Pakistan recently, ” said Bairstow at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
“Excited to be back for the first full house at Lord’s in a long time” – Jonny Bairstow
Since the covid-19 pandemic took over sporting events around the globe, matches were being played behind closed doors. The restrictions were recently lifted in England and the Lord’s is expected to be packed to the hilt. Bairstow was expectedly excited to be playing in front of a fully thronged stadium.
“If I keep that mindset, approach, that’s going to be the best way forward for me in the near future. It is different (Test cricket compared to the Hundred), I am just looking to enjoy,” he concluded.
The second Test will be played from August 12-16, after the first Test at Trent Bridge was washed out. It will be interesting to see if the teams make any changes, apart from Broad, to their sides.
Also Read – Shakib Al Hasan Regains Top-Spot In ICC T20I Rankings For All-Rounders
