England's bid to regain the Ashes this summer has been given a boost after Jonny Bairstow returned to action with a bang.
A sublime 2022, in which he hit four Test centuries and was named as winner of the Wisden trophy, ended in heartbreak for the Yorkshireman amid a freak accident. Bairstow slipped during a round of golf with barbaric consequences, duly needing surgery on a broken leg and dislocated ankle.
The injury meant he missed England's victorious T20 World Cup campaign Down Under, as well as their history-making 3-0 Test series win in Pakistan. And in his absence, the searing form of Harry Brook even had pundits questioning whether Bairstow would regain his place for this summer's battle with Australia.
But after turning out for Yorkshire in a second XI game against Nottinghamshire today on Tuesday, Bairstow immediately gave Brendan McCullum and Ben Stokes food for thought. One of the main protagonists on the 'Bazball' era picked up where he left off with a blistering 97 off 88 deliveries.
Coming in at No 4, he was given a lifeline after being dropped on 21 off Olly Stone, himself out to stake a claim for Ashes selection, and took full advantage. Bairstow's knock at Headingley included 13 fours and two sixes, before he did finally fall to Stone three short of a century.
There were dicey moments, with the 33-year-old also nicking one through the slips, but the trademark hard hitting was apparent from the moment that leg spinner Calvin Harrison was slog swept for six early on.
He's also expected to keep wicket during the Northants reply, after Yorkshire director of cricket Darren Gough confirmed his star man had stated his intent to don the gloves upon his first team comeback. With Brook deemed nigh on undroppable, Bairstow has been touted to replace current keeper Ben Foakes in order to fit him back in to England's XI
Indeed, the veteran of 89 Tests has seemingly returned in time to press his case. England play Ireland in a four day match, starting June 1, ahead of the Ashes opener at Lord's on June 16.
A measure of Bairstow's desire to be fit to face the Aussies was his refusal to put himself in the frame for the IPL, instead opting to concentrate on his rehab. And ahead of his club's four day game with Glamorgan next Thursday, early indications show it's a ploy that has paid off.
