Jonny Bairstow of the Punjab Kings has been ruled out from the Indian Premier League 2023, the team announced on Saturday.
Upon Bairstow’s return to training in late February, Kings had been awaiting word from the ECB regarding the player’s actual level of fitness.
According to earlier reports, the 33-year-old was still undergoing rehabilitation for the metal plate he had implanted in his left leg as a result of a bizarre accident he suffered while playing golf.
The Kings paid Rs. 9.75 crores for Bairstow at the 2022 mega auction. He had a lackluster debut season, scoring 253 runs in 11 innings, averaging 23, and striking out at a strike rate of 144.57.
Australia’s Matthew Short will take over as the wicketkeeper-batter, the team announced in its statement.
Bairstow missed England’s T20 World Cup winning campaign as well as the ensuing Test tours to Pakistan and New Zealand.
“We regret to inform you that Jonny Bairstow will not be a part of the IPL this season because of his injury. We wish him the best and look forward to seeing him next season.”
“We are pleased to welcome Matthew Short as his replacement,” the franchise tweeted.
Short is a rising uncapped Australian cricketer who primarily bats but can also bowl off-spin. In the most recent Big Bash League (BBL) season, he was named Player of the Tournament and ended second in runs scored. Short scored 458 runs at a strike rate of 144.47.
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