Bairstow an injury doubt for fourth ODI after twisting ankle playing football

By Bradley West

England ODI opener Jonny Bairstow is a doubt for the fourth ODI against Sri Lanka in Kandy on Saturday after injuring his ankle playing in England’s warm-up football match.

Bairstow limped out of training after suffering the injury while stretching for the ball and his fitness will now be assessed on the morning of the upcoming fixture where England will look to seal the series with one game to spare, currently leading 2-0 after three matches.

Alex Hales is on standby to replace Bairstow, who became the sixth England batsman to hit 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year in his side’s seven wicket win last time out.

Kent all-rounder Joe Denly, who arrived early to the England set-up this week as replacement for injured spinner Liam Dawson, could also be in the frame to replace Bairstow should the Yorkshireman fail a late fitness test.