ENG vs IRE: "In My Mind, There Wasn't Any Thought That I Wasn't Going To Get Back" - Jonny Bairstow On His England Comeback After Freak Injury

England Cricket Team are all set to lock horns against Ireland in the four-day test match at the iconic Lord’s commencing on 1st June (Thursday). Jonny Bairstow is making a return to cricket after a horrendous leg injury that kept him out of action since August 2022. Jonny Bairstow is going to keep wickets as the management has dropped Ben Foakes.

England skipper Ben Stokes won the toss & opted to bowl first due to overcast conditions. Since this is a 4-day game, England would be aiming to bundle out Ireland below 250 runs as chasing last on the surface would be tough.

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Bairstow was having an interaction with Sky Sports and he was asked about his return to International cricket after the horrific injury. Bairstow said that he faced some dark during his recovery period but was confident of making a comeback to cricket.

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“It’s amazing. What a special place this is; what a special feeling it is to represent England and be back with the boys, It was as simple as a slip… it was horrendous,” said Jonny Bairstow.

“It wasn’t easy, that day or the few months post. It’s just another chapter, isn’t it? In my mind, there wasn’t any thought that I wasn’t going to get back [but] there were obviously some dark days,” he added.

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In many ways, going up & down is easier than being at extra cover – Jonny Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow made it clear that he didn’t have any conversation with England about playing as a wicket-keeper as he always kept wickets for Yorkshire and batted at no.5 position. Jonny Bairstow pointed out that he had smashed 6 tons last year and it was enough to be in the playing 11.

“[Keeping?] I’ve always kept for Yorkshire. I haven’t played as a specialist batter. There wasn’t a conversation with England or Yorkshire; I’ve kept and batted five for Yorkshire for the last 13-14 years. Having scored six hundreds last year, I thought I’d done enough to be back around the group,” said Jonny Bairstow.

Jonny Bairstow was quite happy to keep the wickets rather than fielding at extra cover and pointed out that up & down movements (*wicket-keeper) are a bit more under the control rather than side-ways.

“[Fitness?] In many ways, going up and down is probably easier than being at extra cover. You’re able to control the movements a bit more. It’s something that I enjoy doing… most of all, I’ll be going out to enjoy it because the last nine months have been tough times,” said Jonny Bairstow.

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Also Read: ENG vs IRE: “I Don’t See A World Where T20 And Tests Aren’t Being Played In The Future” – Ben Stokes Opens Up On The Future Of A Longer Format