England’s Jonny Bairstow feared he might not walk again after golf injury

Jonny Bairstow feared he might not be able to walk again but newly fit after last year’s horrific leg break and restored to the role of Test wicketkeeper, the Yorkshireman fancies the good times can roll once more come the Ashes.

That Bairstow would return to England’s side once fit was scarcely in question given his explosive role in last summer’s surging performances, those four centuries in five innings ushering in the new era. Still, displacing Ben Foakes behind the stumps for the Ireland Test has certainly caught the eye.

Oblivious to much of the swirling debate around this selection call, Bairstow is simply proud at having battled back from the broken leg and ankle dislocation that came from last summer’s freak slip on the golf course, plus the bleak period that followed.

“I was buzzing,” said Bairstow, when asked about the call from England’s head coach Brendon McCullum. “There were some dark times last winter, so to get that phone call after all the emotions you go through, there’s a huge amount of pride. It was awesome.

“There’s naturally been a few [low moments]. 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.”

Bairstow, speaking at an event to promote England partners Radox, said he has not had contact with Foakes since the squad was named but will in time. Given an on-off relationship with the gloves himself, keeping in 49 of his 89 Tests to date but just once since 2019, he knows how the Surrey man feels right now.

“I’ve also been in that situation so I can absolutely feel for him,” Bairstow said. “But that’s also the nature of sport – it’s not me that’s made those decisions.

“He’s been a big part of the last