Bairstow in fitness race for Sri Lanka series

England

Batsman Jonny Bairstow's presence in England's squad for June's Test series against Sri Lanka remained in the balance this week.

Batsman Jonny Bairstow's presence in England's squad for June's Test series against Sri Lanka remained in the balance this week.

Bairstow has been sidelined after fracturing a finger on his left hand during Yorkshire's three-day fixture against Northamptonshire.

The talented right-hander, consequently, will miss the opening four matches of the Tykes' County Championship campaign, which will get underway against Somerset on Sunday.

"It is a devastating blow for Jonny. He has been working incredibly hard to put in some strong performances for Yorkshire during the early part of the season to enhance his England credentials," coach Jason Gillespie told Gillespie told Yorkshire's official website.

"It is a great shame for him and I know that he is really disappointed with the news. He will be working hard on his rehabilitation and we remain hopeful that if the fracture can heal quickly he could be back sooner.

"It was an innocuous injury. In these circumstances Jonny would take that ball 100 times without any problems. Things like this can happen in professional sport. It is how you deal with it that matters most and I know that with his positivity, he will be chomping at the bit to get back to playing for Yorkshire as soon as possible."

The English and Sri Lankans will meet for two Tests at Lord's in London and Headingley in Leeds. The series opener will start on 12 June.

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