Jonny Bairstow hoping to shine brightly with Melbourne Stars in Big Bash

The Yorkshireman has joined Melbourne Stars for the competition that runs from December 10 to February 6.

Although Bairstow will not be available until after Christmas, due to his involvement in England’s forthcoming white-ball tour to South Africa, he is relishing being part of a spectacle that he has always enjoyed from afar.

“I’m really pleased to have signed with the Stars,” said Bairstow, who has recently been playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League.

“I’ve always watched the BBL no matter where I’ve been in the world, and it will be nice to finally be a part of it.

“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.”

Referring to the prevailing health crisis that has been as keenly felt in Australia as everywhere else, Bairstow added: “I know Melbourne has been through a tough time over the winter with Covid, so I hope the Stars can bring some of the fun back over summer and put a smile on people’s faces.”

Bairstow, one of two Yorkshire players in both the T20 and one-day squads for the games in South Africa, along with Adil Rashid, is the 10th Englishman to sign up for the 10th edition of BBL.

Dawid Malan, his Yorkshire team-mate who is also part of England’s T20 squad, will be going on from South Africa to join the Hobart Hurricanes, while Jason Roy and Liam Livingstone will play for Perth Scorchers, Alex Hales and Sam Billings for Sydney Thunder, Tom Banton and Lewis Gregory for Brisbane Heat and Tom Curran and James Vince for Sydney Sixers.

David Hussey, the former Australia batsman and Melbourne Stars head coach, described Bairstow as a vital addition with bat and gloves.

“I’m glad that Jonny has decided to make his BBL debut with us at the Melbourne Stars,” he said.

“He’s been playing at the top level with England for almost a decade now and brings a 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.”

Nick Cummins, the Melbourne Stars general manager, said: “We’re excited to have Jonny on board this season and look forward to what he brings to our team.

“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.”

Melbourne are captained by Glenn Maxwell, who played 24 matches for Yorkshire in 2015.

Billy Stanlake, the Stars’ fast bowler, had been due to play for Yorkshire in the 2018 T20 Blast only for the move to fall through at the 11th hour.

The Stars can be regarded as the Somerset of the BBL - viz, the nearly men.

They have been remarkably consistent, only once failing to reach at least the semi-finals.

They were runners-up in 2016, 2019, and for a third time earlier this year when they went down by 19 runs to Sydney Sixers.

Consequently, Bairstow joins a squad eager to maintain those consistency levels but also to end Stars’ long wait for silverware.

The Stars are known as Team Green on account of the fact that – yes, you’ve guessed it – their kit is green. Stars squad: Glenn Maxwell (captain), Jonny Bairstow, 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.