GRIN & BAIR IT

Bairstow raring to go after fearing he might not walk again during the winter as he tells Foakes that he's also faced disappointment

- DEAN WILSON

JONNY BAIRSTOW is confident he can repeat his blistering 2022 batting form against the Aussies despite fearing he might never walk again.

The sight of Bairstow swatting Kiwi, Indian and then South NO African bowlers to all parts of English Test grounds last year were th e defining images of the new Bazball era. But as brightly as the sun shone on him and his flashing blade in the summer, it all took a much darker turn following a freak golfing accident that left him with a broken leg and dislocated ankle.

Ten months on and the 33-year-old is fit, refreshed and back in the England fold firstly for the Test against Ireland and then for a seventh tilt at the Aussies in his 89-cap career.