ENG VS SA 1st T20I: Jonny Bairstow, who was seen walking with an ice pack on his knee, may miss the first T20I against South Africa

England and South Africa will face off in the first of three T20I series matches today, July 27. (Wednesday). Both teams are coming off a 1-1 series draw in the three-match ODI series, with the third ODI at Leeds being rained out.

The English team is unsure whether senior batter Jonny Bairstow will be available for the three-match T20I series against the visitors. With that in mind, the three lions may have to find another replacement for the 32-year-old right-hander. It could also be a setback for the hosts before the final assignment of the home series begins.

Jonny Bairstow's injury may cause concern for the English management

The English team was practicing at Bristol's County Ground a day before the first match of the T20I series. All players were preparing for the series opener against the Proteas.

Jonny Bairstow, a senior batter from Yorkshire, was not looking well during the practice session. He can be seen in the video walking up the dressing room stairs with an ice pack on his left knee and a support staff member by his side.

 KL Rahul likely to miss T20 leg of West Indies tour

Team India opener KL Rahul has got another setback as he is set to miss the upcoming T20I series against West Indies. Just before the West Indies tour, when on the way to recover from his groin injury surgery, the batter became a victim of Covid. Though he has recovered from the virus, the BCCI medical team has advised him to another week of rest.  

Earlier it was believed that after recovering, he would be able to join the team for the final two T20Is, but now he will be able to make a comeback with the Zimbabwe tour, which will commence on 18th August 2022.

It has been a challenging phase for the talented batter after IPL. He had to miss the South Africa series at home to undergo sports hernia surgery in June. The severity of the injury forced him to miss the entire English tour, and when he recovered from it, Covid snatched away the opportunity of the West Indies tour. 

His return is much awaited for team India, especially considering the upcoming Asia and World Cup.  

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