Jonny Bairstow is struggling to be fit for England’s two-Test series in New Zealand in February after breaking his leg in a freak golfing accident in September.
It was originally thought Bairstow might only miss the rest of 2022, and while England also travel to Bangladesh for a white-ball series in March, it is understood the likeliest date for his return is at the Indian Premier League later that month, when he hopes to resume ties with Punjab Kings.
Assuming Bairstow isn’t ready to take the field against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui on February 16, the gloves are set to stay with Ben Foakes, who missed the first two Tests in Pakistan through a mixture of illness and selection issues, but reclaimed the wicketkeeping role from stand-in Ollie Pope, and on Sunday helped Harry Brook salvage England’s first innings during a sixth-wicket stand of 117.