Xtra Time Web Desk: In what comes as a huge setback for Punjab Kings’ star English cricketer Jonny Bairstow was on Saturday ruled out of the upcoming IPL 2023 season due to an ankle injury. The franchise named uncapped Australian batter Matthew Short as a replacement for Bairstow.
“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,” Punjab Kings said on their Twitter handle.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) refused to grant Bairstow a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to play in the IPL, starting March 31. Bairstow is yet to recover completely from a leg injury, which he had sustained in September last year.
Bairstow had missed England’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign and the following Test tours of Pakistan and New Zealand after sustaining multiple fractures following a freak injury at a golf course in September.
Short, who was the Player of the Tournament at the recent Big Bash League will make his first appearance in IPL. He scored 458 runs while opening the innings for Adelaide Strikers at a strike rate of 144.47.