Jonny Bairstow could keep wickets for Yorkshire ahead of The Ashes

London, March 30 : Having given the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 a miss as he is yet to recover from an injury, England international Jonny Bairstow wants to keep wicket for Yorkshire when he returns to action ahead of The Ashes.

Bairstow is out of action since breaking his leg on a golf course in September 2022.

However, according to Yorkshire head coach Ottis Gibson, he is likely to be available for his county from the middle to the end of May.Bairstow could be hoping to get back into the England team for the opening Ashes Test at Edgbaston from June 16 in place of wicketkeeper Ben Foakes.However, it is not clear that Englands think tank wants him in the playing XI as a wicketkeeper, the Yorkshire officials said.

"Communication is the key and we havent heard anything from England yet, but I think Jonny has said hed like to keep," Darren Gough, Yorkshires managing director of cricket, was quoted as saying by Sky Sports in a report on its website."I think Jonny realises there is competition for places.

He probably wants to give himself as many opportunities as he can.Hes a top player, hes in a good place mentally with his game and hes worked out where he wants to be and where he wants to go," he said.Gibson said they would be crazy not to accommodate a request from the England team management.

"Ive had a conversation with [Bairstow] and the medical team, whove done a great job.He should be available to play games by the middle to end of May.Hes had a horrific injury but hes tracking well."Hes running up and down and he can run in straight lines, but hes not doing much lateral stuff yet.The medical team will let us know how far along he is, but he is expecting, when Ive spoken to him, to be in a position to play in Englands first Test.Thats what he is aiming for," he said.

In case Yorkshire want to include Bairstow, their regular wicketkeeper Jonny Tattersall said he would be prepared to "step aside" to allow Bairstow to take the gloves.He said: "I understand its a professional sport and Jonny is an international player.He is that for a reason and if he needs certain things to prepare for England, so be it.If that means I have to step aside to let Jonny take the gloves, thats fine.If were winning games of cricket, to me it doesnt matter," he was quoted as saying in the report.

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