England star Jonny Bairstow is reportedly unlikely to be fit for the upcoming tour of New Zealand in February, with the 33-year-old currently out of action after breaking his leg in what the ECB called "a freak accident whilst playing golf".
England were initially hopeful Bairstow would only miss the remainder of 2022, but according to a report from the Daily Mail 'the likeliest date for his return is at the Indian Premier League ' which is set to begin in late March.
As a result, Bairstow is also set to miss England's white-ball tours of South Africa in January and Bangladesh in March. He has been a key figure in England's Test revival under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.
