Jonny Bairstow fell just short of a comeback century on a fine return to action for Yorkshire’s Second XI on Tuesday, in a significant boost to England’s Ashes hopes.
Bairstow had not played competitive cricket since suffering a broken leg in a freak golf course accident last year, but made 97 off just 88 balls in the game against Nottinghamshire at Headingley, before being caught off the bowling of England team-mate Olly Stone.
The injury ruled Bairstow out of England’s T20 World Cup triumph in Australia, as well as the Test tours to Pakistan and New Zealand this winter and the ongoing IPL.
However, the batter had always expected to return to fitness in time to play a full part in the home Test summer, which begins with a one-off four-day game against Ireland at the start of June before the Ashes get underway at Edgbaston on June 16.
Bairstow is set to both field and keep wicket at some point during the Second XI game against Notts in order to test his fitness in both roles, and all being well he could return to first-class action for Yorkshire against Glamorgan next week.
Taking the gloves has been touted as a possible route back into the England side, with Harry Brook having excelled at No5 through the winter, but ‘keeping incumbent Ben Foakes has made a strong start to the season with Surrey and Bairstow’s availability would provide selectors with a welcome headache going into the Ashes.
