Bairstow ruled out of IPL 2023; Australia’s Matthew Short named replacement

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Bairstow ruled out of IPL 2023; Australia’s Matthew Short named replacement

Jonny Bairstow will not play IPL 2023 as the England wicketkeeper-batter, who plays for Punjab Kings, continues to recover from the freak injury he picked up last September. ESPNcricinfo has learned that uncapped Australian batter Matthew Short will be Bairstow’s replacement for the 2023 season.

Kings, via the BCCI, had been waiting for Bairstow’s exact fitness status from the ECB after the player had resumed training in late February. This week Bairstow started batting in the Yorkshire nets and is expected to feature in Division 2 of the County Championship, which will be played in May. It is understood the BCCI informed Kings on Saturday to go ahead with the replacement.

Bairstow broke his left leg and dislocated his ankle on September 2, days before the third and final Test of England’s home series against South Africa. He was playing golf with friends when he slipped and suffered multiple fractures in his fibula, which required a plate to be inserted when he underwent surgery a few days later, and also sustained ligament damage.

He has since missed all the cricket England have played, including the T20 World Cup where he was meant to open with his captain Jos Buttler. He has also missed tours to Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand and Bangladesh, as well as the ILT20 where he was due to play for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.

Recognised as one of the all-format batters, Bairstow’s absence is bound to have an impact on Kings’ strategy. Last IPL, Bairstow scored 253 runs in 11 innings, averaging 23.00 with a strike rate of 144.57, with two half-centuries.

For Short, this will be his maiden IPL experience. He was the Player of the Tournament at the recent Big Bash League, where opening for Adelaide Strikers, he scored 458 runs – the second-highest in the tournament – at an average of 35.23 and a strike rate of 144.47.

His best performance was an unbeaten 100 in a chase of 230 to beat Hobart Hurricanes. Athletic in the field, Short also is a handy offspinner. He kept his head high while bowling in the powerplay during the BBL and took 11 wickets in all, at an economy of 7.13. An all-format player, Short scored three centuries across first-class and List A cricket during the second half of Australia’s domestic season where he plays for his home state of Victoria.

With inputs from Alex Malcolm



(With Inputs from ESPN)

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