England wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow is all set to make his Big Bash League (BBL) debut in the upcoming 10th edition of Australia’s T20 franchise league starting from December 10 to February 6.
Bairstow, one of the best white-ball batsmen of the modern era, has signed a deal with last years’ BBL finalists Melbourne Stars for the upcoming BBL 2020-2021 in winter.
However, the right-hander will miss the early part of the tournament due to national commitments, but the Yorkshireman is expected to be available for the Melbourne Stars after Christmas.
He will be a part of England’s white-ball tour of South Africa in late November and early December and then will have to quarantine on his arrival to Australia for the BBL 10.
Bairstow along with Adil Rashid becomes the 10th Englishman to have signed up for the upcoming BBL 10 in Australia after Dawid Malan (Hobart Hurricanes), Jason Roy and Liam Livingstone (Perth Scorchers), Alex Hales and Sam Billings (Sydney Thunder), Tom Banton and Lewis Gregory (Brisbane Heat) and Tom Curran and James Vince (Sydney Sixers).
Read Also: BBL 10: Mitchell Starc returns to BBL after six years; signs up with Sydney Sixers
The 31-year-old plays for England in all three formats of the game and played a starring role in their 2019 World Cup triumph with the bat, scoring 532 runs at 50 last year. Bairstow, who has played 43 T20I for England, was recently part of the IPL 2020, represented Sunrisers Hyderabad in the UAE.
Nick Cummins, the Melbourne Stars’ General Manager, announced the signing of Bairstow by saying: “We’re excited to have Jonny on board this season and look forward to what he brings to our team.”
Cummins further added, “We’ve got a proven track record when it comes to England batsmen; Luke Wright was one of our best-ever performers, and no one will forget Kevin Pietersen’s extended time in green. For our members and fans, we hope Jonny can continue to add to that chapter for the club.”
Meanwhile, Bairstow is eager to join the Green squad for BBL 10 and play alongside his IPL opponents Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Adam Zampa in the tournament.
Bairstow told the Stars’ official website, “I’m really pleased to have signed with the Stars. I’ve always watched the BBL no matter where I’ve been in the world, and it will be nice to be a part of it finally.”
He further added, “I know the Stars are one of the competition’s profile clubs and have a track record of being in contention in finals. The list is looking good, and I can’t wait to get involved alongside Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Adam Zampa who I’ve been playing against during the IPL. I know Melbourne has been through a tough time over the winter with COVID-19. So, I hope the Stars can bring some of the fun back over summer and put a smile on people’s faces.”
On the other hand, David Hussey, Melbourne Stars head coach, hailed Bairstow’s signing saying a vital addition of Englishman will help the side with bat and gloves in the T20 league.
Hussey signed off by saying, “I’m glad that Jonny has decided to make his BBL debut with us at the Melbourne Stars. He’s been playing at the top level with England for almost a decade now and brings real competitive fire to matches. His experience and versatility will be a valuable addition to our batting line-up, and we’ve got several keeping options in the squad as well.”
Here’s the Melbourne Stars squad for BBL 10:
Glenn Maxwell (C), Jonny Bairstow (ENG), Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Ben Dunk, Seb Gotch, Clint Hinchliffe, Nic Maddinson, Lance Morris, Tom O’Connell, Will Pucovski, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
(With Melbourne Stars official website Inputs)
