Jonny Bairstow was left stranded on 99 in England’s first innings in Manchester, but the keeper-batter didn’t show any disappointment over being unable to complete his hundred. Instead, he felt really grateful to return to what he loves doing and delivered for his team.
He narrates the story of his comeback after that life-threatening injury which could have ended his career at some point of time.
After England lost their eight wickets with Hazlewood tearing into the English lower-order and breathing some fire, it looked like 200 was a good lead for them to take the match out of Aussie’s hands. However, Bairstow had different plans. The right-handed batter took the responsibility on himself and went berserk, hitting Aussie quicks to all parts of the ground and making it look like it was raining off boundaries.
Jonny Bairstow has had his plans set and was looking for his first test hundred in this Ashes season but unfortunately, destiny had some other plans for him. He was an inch shorter than his hundred when his batting partner James Anderson got dismissed by Cameron Green.
Earlier, this Ashes series was not going great for this wicket-keeper batsman. Many dropped catches, and inconsistent runs from his bat were a big disappointment, and later that “run-out” incident made him the focus of this ongoing series. But, he stepped up in a must-win game for England and delivered what he is known for.
It’s a miracle that I am here, narrates Bairstow
For a batsman like Bairstow or any person, it was difficult to make a comeback on a big occasion after facing a life-ending injury. Last year in September he broke his leg in three places after he slipped while playing golf with his friends. It was so brutal that doctors claimed it to be career-ending.
It becomes tough to play after such incidents especially when you know you have a high-pressure Ashes series on the line. But Bairstow is grateful to make a comeback and play for his country, he says.
“You just don’t know how bad it’s going to be. It could have ended my career,” Bairstow told Sky Sports after day three of play.
“I’ve got nine pins and a wire that goes through my ankle, and I’ve had nine months out,” he said. “I’m still only ten months post-operation right now. So when you speak to the surgeon, and he says, ‘I’m surprised you’re walking and running, never mind playing professional sport’, I’m delighted to be where I’m at.”
“There’s times when there’s aches and pains and people are saying you’re limping, well, yeah, I am at times, because there’s a lot going on in the ankle, and other bits that people won’t understand. It’s been a rollercoaster. There’s been a lot that’s happened in those nine months. And to come out and take the field again, with a group of boys that I care a heck of a lot about, is a special place for me to be,” the keeper batter added.
