Jonny Bairstow ruled out hours after England announce T20 World Cup squad

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Friday announced the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup which is scheduled to be played in Australia in October. While Jos Buttler will lead the side, opener Jason Roy who has been out of form for almost a year has been dropped from the 15-member squad.

But the big blow for the Three Lions came in the form of wicket keeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow. The in-form Yorkshireman was named in the squad when it was first revealed, but subsequently, ECB issued a statement that he has been ruled out for the rest of the summer due to a ‘freak accident’ whilst playing golf.

Also read: Asia Cup 2022: Team India hit Dubai shores on their day off

According to the statement, Bairstow sustained a lower limb injury and will see a specialist next week. His replacement will be announced in due course.

Meanwhile, England have also named Harry Brook and Phil Salt in the squad after their phenomenal performances in domestic cricket. Dawid Malan who is in sublime form has also been named in the English squad, who will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Afghanistan on October 22nd.

While seam bowlers Chris Woakes and Mark Wood make a comeback after recovering from their respective injuries, Jofra Archer's name was still not in sight. The ace speedster's road to recovery was hampered after he suffered another stress fracture to the lower back earlier in May.

ECB also announced a 19-member squad for the T20I series against Pakistan which will begin on September 20. ECB informed that Chris Jordan and Liam Livingstone who have been named in the T20 World Cup squad, will miss out on the Pakistan tour and continue their rehabilitation for finger and ankle injuries respectively. Buttler who is nursing a calf injury will also join the squad for the later part of the 7-match series in Pakistan. Meanwhile, Test captain Ben Stokes, who is part of the squad for the tournament in Australia, has been rested for the series against the Men in Green.

World T20 SQUAD: Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Chris Jordon, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley. David Wiley, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood. Jonny Bairstow’s replacement to be named later.

Squad for Pakistan series: Jos Buttler (capt), Moeen Ali (vice-capt), Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Liam Dawson, Richard Gleeson, Tom Helm, Will Jacks, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Olly Stone, Reece Topley, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Luke Wood, Mark Wood