Jonny Bairstow to make injury comeback against Nottinghamshire 2nd XI

The wicketkeeper-batter suffered a broken leg and dislocated ankle in a freak accident while playing golf last summer

Jonny Bairstow will make his long-awaited return from injury this week, turning out for Yorkshire's 2nd XI against Nottinghamshire.

The match at Headingley, which starts on April 25, will serve as a "fitness assessment" for the wicketkeeper-batter, who has been on the sidelines since last August.

Bairstow suffered a broken leg and dislocated ankle in a freak accident while playing golf last summer.

In a previous statement, Yorkshire head coach Ottis Gibson confirmed Bairstow is on track to feature in the County Championship against Glamorgan (May 4-7).

^{Bairstow hasn't played a competitive match since August 2022 [Michael Steele/Getty Images]}

"Jonny is going to play this week against Notts at Headingley in the twos," Gibson said. "We'll go and have a look at him and see how he goes.

"He's had such a long lay-off, so it's a fitness assessment for him to see what his capacity is and what he can do on the field in terms of running around in the outfield or standing behind the stumps.

"He will probably do both to see which one he's most comfortable with."

It has been reported that Bairstow will take the gloves upon his return to Yorkshire's 1st XI as he looks to force his way back into England's plans following the emergence of Harry Brook.

Speaking ahead of the season, Gibson confirmed he would "accommodate" any such requests from the ECB: "Part of the job of county cricket is to prepare players for England. If England put in a request then we'd be crazy not to accommodate them, especially in an Ashes year."