ZCZC
BSP-18
CRICKET-ENG-SRI-BURNS
England opener Burns out of Sri Lanka tour
LONDON, Jan 7, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – England opening batsman Rory Burns will
miss the tour of Sri Lanka in March after undergoing successful surgery on
ruptured ligaments in his left ankle, the England and Wales Cricket Board
(ECB) announced on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old suffered the injury playing football — part of the
squad’s warm-up routine –last Thursday on the eve of the second Test against
South Africa in Cape Town.
There was a lot of criticism of England’s practice of playing football
following the injury to Burns and it has now been banned by head coach Chris
Silverwood with the support of Ashley Giles, England’s director of men’s
cricket.
Burns’ injury was the second relatively serious injury to an England
cricketer playing football prior to a game in just over a year.
Jonny Bairstow was injured and missed several matches during a tour of Sri
Lanka in October 2018.
“England opening batsman Rory Burns has undergone successful surgery on
ruptured ligaments in his left ankle,” read the ECB statement.
“Surgery took place in London on Monday afternoon.
“The Surrey captain is expected to be out of action for up to four months.
“He will miss England’s Test tour of Sri Lanka in March and is aiming to
return to play with Surrey in the County Championship at the beginning of the
2020 season in April.”
Burns, who top-scored for England with 84 in the first-Test defeat by
South Africa, averages 33.75 in 15 Tests.
Keaton Jennings is the leading contender to replace Burns for the two-Test
series against Sri Lanka starting on March 19.
Jennings averages 25.19 from 17 Tests since making a century on his debut
in India in 2016.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1530 hrs