I wondered if I’d walk again let alone play cricket
JONNY BAIRSTOW OPENS UP ON HIS BROKEN LEG AGONY... AND REVEALS HE WILL PHONE THE DROPPED BEN FOAKES
Jonny Bairstow stops smiling, just for a moment, when he contemplates the severity of the injury that shattered him just as he was riding the crest of a particularly high wave.
‘i did wonder whether i’d be able to walk again, jog again, run again and play cricket again,’ Bairstow admits, as he reflects on the badly broken left leg and dislocated ankle he suffered in freakish circumstances, slipping at his local golf course after the summer of his life.
‘yes, there were dark times. so many things go through your head until you can get back playing. you wonder, is it going to feel the same?’
Bairstow is holding court at old trafford at the launch of the ECB’s partnership with radox, having returned to action both batting and, significantly, keeping wicket for yorkshire in a second team game and two County Championship matches.
He is delighted to report that playing cricket really did feel the same again and he is back in the England picture at the start of an ashes summer when he hopes to carry on where he left off last year before he was so rudely interrupted by a cruel twist of fate.
‘it does feel a long time since the injury,’ Bairstow says. ‘it was actually quite nerve-racking when i came back with the second Xi. it was like i was 16 again and making my debut. But there has been no reaction to the leg and it’s fun being back. Great fun. and i’ve missed it.’
Rarely can there have been a more stark example of Kipling’s twin impostors. the triumph of being the first face of ‘Bazball’, with four spectacular centuries last summer in winning causes, was followed by that disaster on the golf course and a grim winter.
‘Last summer was going so well,’ Bairstow adds. ‘then the injury happened the day after i was told i’d be opening in the twenty20 world Cup. i went through a lot of emotions watching the lads win it but there was a lot of pride.
‘ Even when you’re injured, you’re still part of the group. the boys have been brilliant, keeping me in the loop. the odd Facetime with the lads talking utter rubbish. now i’m excited again. it’s going to be a new challenge and i can’t wait.’
that challenge, with Bairstow back in the dual role of keeperbatsman, will come somewhat controversially at the expense of Ben Foakes, rather than Zak Crawley. ‘i haven’t had a chance to speak to Ben yet but i’m sure i will do,’ Bairstow says. ‘i’ve been in that situation so i absolutely feel for him. it’s the nature of sport. Ben has been a big part of the last 12 months and there’s no doubt he’ll be back playing for England at some point.’
now it will be Bairstow behind the stumps against ireland and then australia, where he is confident his reconstructed left leg will stand up to the strain.
But there will be a legacy to what was a very serious injury. ‘People have said to me, “you’re limping”,’ Bairstow says. ‘But there will be little limps, aches and pains. when there’s trauma, there’s going to be an adaptation to the way your body moves.
‘But that’s oK. there’s a lot of confidence about this summer. Last summer i was part of a special group doing special things. that remains the same.
‘Can we carry on the way we have been against the aussies? there will certainly be a belief we can. i guess we’ll find out in the next two months!’