Matthew Short will try to fill Jonny Bairstow’s shoes in the Punjab opening order.© BCCI
Jonny Bairstow will miss the action of the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League due to injury. Punjab Kings made an announcement on their social media handle regarding Bairstow’s absence on Saturday. “IMPORTANT UPDATE!! We are sorry to inform you that our Sher Jonny Bairstow will not be part of the IPL this season due to his injury. We wish him well and look forward to seeing him in our colors next season. We are delighted to welcome Matthew Short as his replacement to the squad.”
IMPORTANT UPDATE
We regret to inform you that Jonny Bairstow will not be part of the IPL this season due to his injury. We wish him the best and look forward to seeing him next season.
We are delighted to welcome Matthew Short as his replacement.
#PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/NnUMjCe8jV
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) March 25, 2023
Matthew Short, Australia’s leading batsman, 27, will try to fill Bairstow’s shoes in the Punjab opening order. Matthew Short was the Player of the Tournament during the 2022-23 Big Bash League (BBL), representing Adelaide Strikers. He was the tournament’s second-highest series scorer with 458 runs at an average of 35.23 in 14 matches, with a century and two fifties and a best of 100*.
He also took 11 wickets in 14 matches, with his best bowling figures being 3/14. In total he has played 67 T20s in which he scored 1,409 runs in 64 games at an average of 23.88, with one century and seven fifties. He also has 22 wickets in the format.
This isn’t the first time the injury has stepped in to deprive the England batsman of the chance to make his mark in a major tournament. Six months ago, Bairstow missed the ICC T20 World Cup due to injury. Once again the injury has come back to haunt him. Last time, Bairstow suffered a lower limb injury in an accident while playing golf in Leeds. He saw a specialist to determine the full extent of the injury.
Punjab Kings will play their IPL campaign opener against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 1 at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium.
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