Explosive England batter Jonny Bairstow has claimed he is fit and available for selection after reports emerged that the Yorkshire cricketer had hurt himself ahead of the first T20I against South Africa.
Bairstow, in a viral video, was seen doing a unique training, lifting teammate Sam Curran on his shoulders and also performing lunges.
But, on the same day, Bairstow was spotted leaving a training session at Bristol’s Seat Unique Stadium with ice packs and strapping around his left knee.
Here is the video:
Jonny Bairstow lifting Sam Curran 😂😂😂
📹 IG: reecejtopley pic.twitter.com/HwVH7l6wVr
— England's Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) July 26, 2022
Notably, a Daily Mail report claimed that Bairstow had been walking in discomfort on his way back to the locker room. The report also stated that his participation in the first T20 against South Africa on Wednesday (July 27) was also under clouds.
However, Bairstow then took to social media and shared a clarification that he was fit and available for selection. He posted a story on Instagram, in which he captioned the screengrab of that report: “Just to make it clear, I am fit and available for selection despite the articles reporting things incorrectly. If I was injured, I wouldn’t be able to lift Sam, not to mention lunge him.”
Not so long ago, Bairstow had expressed his desire to play all three formats for as long as possible.
“You know me well enough to know that I will be trying to play all forms for as long as possible. I will be going all out for as long as I can,” Bairstow said while speaking to Michael Atherton on Sky Sports.
“There might come a time that, for different reasons, you do have to make a decision, but that’s part of life and part and parcel of cricket. In the near future, I don’t see myself making a choice. I love being part of all three squads,” he added.
