IPL ban for Bairstow, Punjab name as a replacement, brief

Jonny Bairstow of England will not play in the 2018 Indian Premier League season, according to Punjab Kings, since he was unable to fully recuperate from an unexpected golf injury.

Bairstow will be replaced by Australian batsman Matthew Short in the squad, which will face Kolkata Knight Riders on April 1.

Punjab released a statement on Saturday saying, “We regret to tell you that Jonny Bairstow will not be participating in the IPL this season due to his injury.”

“We wish him the best and hope to see him again the following season. We warmly welcome Matthew Short to the team as his replacement.”

33-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Bairstow has been sidelined since breaking his left leg and dislocating his ankle while playing golf in September of last year.

Short, 27, was the player of the tournament in the recent Big Bash League, scoring more than 400 runs and picking up 11 wickets with his off spin.

The Australian domestic tournament is, like the IPL, in the Twenty20 format.

Other big names missing for this IPL season, which begins on March 31, include Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant after a car crash in December and injured Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.

 AFP