CrazzOnCricket

Bairstow ruled out of IPL 2023; Australia's Matthew Short named replacement Jonny Bairstow will not play IPL 2023 as the England wicketkeeper-batter, who plays for Punjab Kings, continues to recover from the freak injury he picked up last September. ESPNcricinfo has learned that uncapped Australian batter Matthew Short will be Bairstow's replacement for the 2023 season. Kings, via the BCCI, had been waiting for Bairstow's exact fitness status from the ECB after he had resumed training in late February as part of his rehab. It is understood the BCCI informed Kings on Saturday to go ahead with the replacement, and the franchise confirmed the news later that day. This week, Bairstow started batting in the Yorkshire nets and it is understood that he will aim to play a couple of games in the County Championship in May - potentially while keeping wicket - as he aims to reach full fitness in time for England's next Test on June 1, against Ireland at Lord's. The ECB are hap