Arjun Tendulkar injures Jonny Bairstow ahead of South Africa series

India cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar’s son Arjun Tendulkar gave the England cricket team a slight scare ahead of their Test series against South Africa. The first Test between the two teams begins on today at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. As the English team prepared for the opening Test in the nets, their star batsman Jonny Bairstow suffered an injury while facing young Arjun Tendulkar.

Arjun has previously bowled in the nets in England and was also praised by Pakistan legend Wasim Akram on one occasion. The 17-year old unfortunately injured Bairstow during a practice session at the Lord’s. A report by the Daily Mail elaborated on the incident.

“Jonny Bairstow suffered an unexpected injury scare ahead of the first Test against South Africa at Lord’s. The 27-year-old was pinned on the foot by a yorker from the teenage son of Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar. Bairstow hobbled out of the nets after facing only one delivery from the 17-year-old Arjun Tendulkar,” the report said.

Luckily for England, the injury wasn’t too serious, which means Bairstow will indeed don the whites on Thursday for the opening Test against the Proteas.

England have the upper hand after two series wins against the Proteas

England will be led by their new captain Joe Root in the longest format of the game, and will also sport the traditional off-white clothing for Tests in the near future. Following the opening game at Lord’s, both teams will head to Nottingham for the second Test beginning on July 14. The third Test will be held at The Oval, while Manchester will host the fourth and final Test of the series.

South Africa have so far had a disappointing sojourn in England, having lost the ODI series to the hosts, and subsequently having crashed out of the Champions Trophy in the league stage. The Proteas also failed to overcome the English in a 3-match T20I series and will look to turn things around in the Test matches.