Jonny Bairstow: England batsman suffers injury playing football in training

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Bairstow reacts after suffering ankle injuryImage source, Reuters
Image caption,

England's players have awarded each other fantasy football values on their current tour

Sri Lanka v England, fifth one-day international

Venue: Colombo Date: Tuesday, 23 October Time: 10:00 BST

Coverage: Live text commentary and The Cricket Social programme on the BBC Sport website and app.

Opener Jonny Bairstow missed England's fourth one-day international against Sri Lanka after twisting his ankle playing football in training.

England brought in Alex Hales to replace Yorkshire's Bairstow and won to clinch the series by taking a 3-0 lead.

Bairstow, 29, will be assessed by England's medical staff to see if he can play in the final match on Tuesday.

England's players regularly play a short game of football in training and in their pre-match warm-ups.

The players enjoy the sessions and have awarded each other fantasy football values on this tour.

However, speaking earlier this week, recalled 32-year-old Kent batsman Joe Denly offered another reminder of the risks involved.

He suffered a knee injury in a challenge from team-mate Owais Shah in 2009 and football was banned for a time by then England coach Andy Flower.

Referring to the incident, Denly said: "A few of the lads were saying I ruined their football - the best part of the day as they say.

"Thankfully it is back in now and hopefully no more injuries."

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