English gun Jonny Bairstow is a confirmed out for the Big Bash with the Stars signing a West Indian replacement

English gun Jonny Bairstow is a confirmed out for the Big Bash, with the Melbourne Stars signing a World Cup-winning West Indian replacement.

Andre Fletcher of the West Indies will replace Jonny Bairstow at the Melbourne Stars. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

The Melbourne Stars have taken advantage of the West Indian presence in New Zealand and signed Andre Fletcher after confirmation marquee player Jonny Bairstow isn’t available for the Big Bash.

English gun Bairstow was set to link up with the Stars after Christmas for his first stint in the BBL but has been recalled to the Test team for a two-match series against Sri Lanka in January.

Fletcher, who is also an opening batsman and keeper, has been in New Zealand with the West Indies T20 squad and is a teammate of fellow Stars signing Nicholas Pooran.

Vastly experienced on the T20 circuit, Fletcher has played more than 200 T20 domestic matches around the world, including in the Caribbean Premier League, the Canadian GT20, Pakistan Super League and Bangladesh Premier League.

He has also played 25 ODIs and 42 international T20s for the West Indies.

“I’m really looking forward to coming over to the Melbourne Stars and being part of what should be an exciting season ahead,” Fletcher said.

“Hopefully, I can bring my brand of batting and recent form to the Stars during the BBL.”

While disappointed to miss out on the services of World Cup winner Bairstow, Stars coach David Hussey said replacing him with a T20 World Cup winner in Fletcher, on short notice, was a good result.

Jonny Bairstow has had to withdraw from the @BBL after being recalled by the ECB.

We wish @jbairstow21 well on his recall and England’s winter tours.#TeamGreen 💚 pic.twitter.com/JMsESEamjn

— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) December 2, 2020

“We’re naturally disappointed Jonny won’t be able to link up with us this season, but we wish him well on his recall and England’s winter tours,” Hussey said.

“We’re glad Andre was in a position to join us and he’ll bring plenty of power and entertainment at the top of the batting order.

“Andre is a former T20 World Cup winner with the West Indies, so he knows what it takes to succeed in major tournaments and I’m confident he’ll be a great asset around our group.”

The Stars open their Big Bash campaign with back-to-back games in Canberra on December 11 and 12.

Originally published as English gun Jonny Bairstow is a confirmed out for the Big Bash with the Stars signing a West Indian replacement