While reports had already claimed that the Punjab Kings star Jonny Bairstow might not to able to compete in IPL 2023, the franchise confirmed the same on Saturday evening. In addition, the Shikhar Dhawan-led team has also announced a replacement as they roped in Australia's Matthew Short in place of Bairstow, who has been ruled out due to an ankle injury and has been away from competitive cricket since England's home Tests against South Africa.
“To all the fans of Punjab Kings, we’ve got some news. Unfortunately, Jonny Bairstow won’t be with us this campaign. His injury hasn’t recovered in time for this year’s IPL. We wish him a speedy recovery. It’s a shame not to have him,” Trevor Bayliss, the head coach of the Kings, said.
“But at the same time, we are announcing that Matthew Short, who was the Big Bash player of the season in Australia this year, will be joining us for this IPL 2023,” he added.
Matthew Short Second-Highest Run-Getter in BBL 2022-23
Short was part of the Big Bash League in the 2022-23 edition of the tournament where he played for the Adelaide Strikers. He finished as the second-highest run-scorer in the competition with as many as 458 runs from 14 matches at an average of 35.23 and a strike rate of 144.47. He accumulated those runs with the help of two half-centuries with a highest score of an unbeaten 100.
Overall, Short has featured in 67 T20s and accumulated over 1400 runs. Apart from his ability with the bat, he also provides an off-spin option to the captain as 22 wicket and an economy of 7.31 indicate. However, whether or not he can fill in the shoes of a proven international performer like Bairstow will be interesting to see. Bairstow could also keep the wickets required, something Short doesn't specialise in.