‘I wondered if I'll be able to walk, play cricket again’ – Jonny Bairstow reflects on lengthy rehabilitation after freak injury

England star batter Jonny Bairstow reflected on his lengthy rehabilitation period after sustaining injuries following a freak golf accident in September 2022. Bairstow made quite a few stirring revelations regarding his frustrations during the recovery period as he pondered if he would ever get back to playing cricket.

Notably, the 33-year-old wicketkeeper-batter was recalled to the 15-member Test squad which is scheduled to play Ireland prior to the Ashes 2023. Ahead of the One-off Test, Bairstow expressed his thoughts during the recovery period and wondered if he would ever return to competitive action.

"You wonder whether or not you'll be able to walk again, jog again, run again, play cricket again. Absolutely, those things do go through your mind. It depends how long you think about them. There are many different things, until you get back to playing, well… you wonder, is it going to feel the same?” Bairstow was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

“There are going to be little limps, there are going to be aches, pains, that is part and parcel of it. Whether it is knees, hips, ankles, lower back, whatever it is. When there is trauma, there is going to be an adaptation to the way that your body moves or your body walks," he added.

Bairstow returned to competitive action following a 241-day injury lay over. The seasoned batter returned in resounding fashion as he compiled a steady 97 off 88 balls for the Yorkshire's second XI against Nottinghamshire's second side. Bairstow spoke over his return and stated that he kept for 100 overs in the second XI clash, and added that he has positive feelings ahead of the One-off Test and the Ashes.

"That first second XI game (against Nottinghamshire before his return to 1st XI cricket), I kept 100 overs in the game. The last two Champo (Championship) games - it's been building nicely. A day off, train, train, train. It's been back-to-back and there hasn't been any reaction. If it swelled up, you know there's something wrong. So, it's positive,” he added.