The Punjab Kings (PBKS) have roped in uncapped Australian all-rounder Matthew Short as the replacement for Jonny Bairstow, who was ruled out of the IPL 2023 a week before the tournament starts.
The 16th edition of the IPL will get underway on March 31, and Punjab Kings, who kick-off their campaign on April 2nd against KKR in Mohali, had been awaiting the medical update on Jonny Bairstow and whether the England batter will get the NOC or not from the ECB to play in the IPL 2023 given the Ashes will commence a couple of weeks after the IPL 2023 concludes.
The BCCI confirmed to the franchise on Saturday that Bairstow will not be given the NOC for IPL 2023, and that they can sign and announce the replacement player – Matthew Short.
Jonny Bairstow suffered a “freak” leg injury last September after he slipped while on a golf course
On September 2, Jonny Bairstow broke his left leg and dislocated his ankle, suffering multiple fractures in his fibula, which required a plate to be inserted when he underwent surgery a few days later, and also sustained ligament damage.
He has since missed all cricketing action, and only recently restarted his training.
🚨 IMPORTANT UPDATE 🚨
We regret to inform you that Jonny Bairstow will not be a part of the IPL this season because of his injury. We wish him the best and look forward to seeing him next season.
We are pleased to welcome Matthew Short as his replacement.
#PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/NnUMjCe8jV
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) March 25, 2023
England will host Ireland for a one-off Test from June 1 ahead of the Ashes 2023, which will start on June 16.
Earlier this week, the 33-year-old started batting in the Yorkshire nets and is expected to feature in Division 2 of the County Championship, in May.
One of the most destructive batters in the world, Jonny Bairstow played for PBKS in IPL 2022, scoring 253 runs in 11 innings at an average of 23 with a strike rate of 144.57, with two half-centuries.
Who is Bairstow’s replacement for IPL 2023: Matthew Short?
Uncapped Australian all-rounder Matthew Short has been roped in as Jonny Bairstow’s replacement by Punjab Kings for IPL 2023.
Short made headlines in the last BBL season for his exploits with the Adelaide Strikers: as an opener, Matthew Short scored 458 runs – the second-highest in the tournament – at an average of 35.23 and a strike rate of 144.47 with a best of 100* off 59 balls in a thrilling chase of 230 against Hobart.
A more than just a handy off-spinner, Matt Short also picked up 11 wickets in the BBL tournament at a good economy of 7.13.
An all-format player in the domestic circuit, Matt Short cracked 3 hundreds across first-class and List-A cricket during the second half of Australia’s domestic season where he represents his home state, Victoria.
Punjab will be led by opener Shikhar Dhawan, who was given the captaincy after PBKS released Mayank Agarwal, under whom they finished 6th in IPL 2022 with 7 wins and 7 losses.
Punjab hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2014!
PBKS Squad for IPL 2023:
Shikhar Dhawan (c), Shahrukh Khan, Matthew Short, Prabhsimran Singh, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jitesh Sharma, Raj Bawa, Rishi Dhawan, Liam Livingstone, Atharva Taide, Arshdeep Singh, Nathan Ellis, Baltej Singh, Kagiso Rabada, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Sam Curran, Sikandar Raza, Harpreet Bhatia, Vidwath Kaverappa, Shivam Singh, and Mohit Rathe.
