England’s Jonny Bairstow feared he might not walk again after golf injury

• Fit-again batter says there were ‘some dark times last winter’
• Jimmy Anderson may not be risked for Ireland Test

Jonny Bairstow feared he might not be able to walk again but newly fit after last year’s horrific leg break and restored to the role of Test wicketkeeper, the Yorkshireman fancies the good times can roll once more come the Ashes.

That Bairstow would return to England’s side once fit was scarcely in question given his explosive role in last summer’s surging performances, those four centuries in five innings ushering in the new era. Still, displacing Ben Foakes behind the stumps for the Ireland Test has certainly caught the eye.

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