Bairstow returns after injury scare

England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow has returned to the field after sending a massive injury scare through the tourists in their match against the Cricket Australia XI in Townsville.

Bairstow attempted to take a delivery from paceman Chris Woakes on day one of the match, but a Ryan Gibson edge kept low and hit him on a finger on his left hand, forcing him to call for medical assistance.

Image Id: E48CF95B587E48EC875F52BD3DAA1885 Image Caption: Bairstow receives treatment after the knock // Getty

The gloveman, who already had a taped up little finger on his left hand, left the field a short time after and was replaced by England's reserve gloveman Ben Foakes behind the stumps.

The 28-year-old looked disconsolate as he left the ground, raising temporary fears that his participation in next week's first Magellan Ashes Test was under a cloud.

But a short time later, the England camp confirmed Bairstow had suffered only bruising to his finger and he returned to the field.

The CA XI were 2-83 in the 31st over on day one of the four-day fixture at Riverway Stadium when the incident occurred. 

Image Id: 6AA4195C2B914EF9B20DA204DAD70D5C Image Caption: Bairstow leaves the field // Getty

With England already likely to be missing gun allrounder Ben Stokes for at least the start of the series due to an ongoing police investigation into his alleged involvement in a street brawl, the tourists can ill afford to lose another key member of their Ashes team.

England's bowling stocks have been hit hard, with Jake Ball in a race against time to be fit for the first Test in Brisbane, starting on November 23, while Steve Finn has been ruled out of the Ashes due to a knee injury.

The tourists have been forced to draft quicks George Garton and Tom Curran drafted into their squad.

Bairstow has become an integral member of England's Test side and is the second highest Test run-scorer in the world since 2016 with 1859 runs behind his skipper Joe Root (2206).

He has also logged 98 Test dismissals with the gloves during that period (92 catches and six stumpings), which is the most in the world.

Foakes was permitted to replace Bairstow and take the gloves under a recent overhaul of the Marylebone Cricket Club's new Code of Laws.

The long-standing rule preventing a player not named in the XI from wicketkeeping was scrapped in the MCC's latest regulations, which came into effect in October.

Substitute fielders are now permitted to don the gloves when a 'keeper suffers an injury.

Umpires must give their approval for a substitute fielder to take up the role in order to prevent teams from taking advantage of the new concession.

Cricket Network will live stream England's tour match in Townsville on cricket.com.au and the CA Live app

Click above to learn more about Townsville or watch the great video below!

2017-18 International Fixtures:

Magellan Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets

Gillette T20 INTL Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 13

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21