3 minute read

Wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow admits he feared the worst when he was struck on the finger in England's final Ashes warm-up clash.

For a moment, Jonny Bairstow feared the worst.

Struck while gathering a delivery in England's final Ashes warm-up, the wicketkeeper admitted he didn't wonder whether his finger was injured - he wondered whether his finger was still in his glove.

But Bairstow has given not only himself but the entire injury-plagued England squad a clean bill of health ahead of the first Ashes Test starting at the Gabba on Thursday.

Alarm bells were ringing when Bairstow was forced off the field with the finger injury suffered collecting a Chris Woakes delivery in their recent drawn tour clash with a Cricket Australia XI in Townsville.

Bairstow returned within an hour with just finger bruising, much to his relief.

"Naturally there was a split second where you go 'Oh no, is it still in my glove, is it not?'" Bairstow said of being struck on the finger.

"At the same time, I had to go off and make sure everything was okay.

"I put it in some ice and it was a case (of) 'okay, crack on'.

"It's not going to be the first time I've had a knock on my fingers and I'm sure it won't be the last."

After an injury-hit start to the Ashes tour, England now have a full squad to choose from for the five-Test series opener in Brisbane, according to Bairstow.

Batsman Moeen Ali (side strain) and quick Jake Ball (ankle) are fully fit while pace spearhead James Anderson has overcome illness.

England are still sweating on all-rounder Ben Stokes whose availability hinges on a pending police investigation into a Bristol brawl.

A fully recovered Ball looks set to be named as the third seamer to back up new ball strike weapons Anderson and Stuart Broad.

"Unfortunately, we have had a couple of guys go down but looking at it now, Bally looks like he is firing ahead of next week which is really exciting," Bairstow said.

England flew into Brisbane on Sunday to prepare for the Ashes opener.