English World Cup winner Jonny Bairstow will play in the Big Bash

English World Cup winner Jonny Bairstow will play in the Big Bash for the first time with the Melbourne Stars.

World Cup winner Jonny Bairstow will make his Big Bash debut with the Melbourne Stars this summer. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images for ECB

The Melbourne Stars have found their preferred opening partner for Marcus Stoinis and signed England’s World Cup winner Jonny Bairstow.

Bairstow will make his Big Bash debut this summer and bat alongside Stoinis, the BBL player of the year last season who pounded the Delhi Capitals into the Indian Premier League final overnight.

They loom as the best one-two punch in the BBL with Bairstow’s record of pummelling white-ball hundreds – 10 in his 83 ODIs and 43 in T20s for England.

The star Englishman's KFC #SuperCoach BBL price is in!

Will you pick him when he lands in Australia?

🗓️ How international calendar will affect #BBL10: https://t.co/uikR0DrohA pic.twitter.com/BK0vHSJeMw

— KFC SuperCoach BBL (@SuperCoachBBL) November 9, 2020

“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,” Bairstow said.

“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, so I hope the Stars can bring some of the fun back over summer and put a smile on people’s faces.”

BIG news to start your week.

Pleased to announce that English International Jonny Bairstow has joined #TeamGreen for #BBL10 😍

Welcome, @jbairstow21 💚

— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) November 8, 2020

Bairstow, who is currently playing with Aussie star David Warner at Sunrisers in the IPL, is likely to be available to the Stars after Christmas because of international duties.

Melbourne Stars coach David Hussey said Bairstow was an important addition both with the bat and the keeping gloves.

“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 a real competitive fire to matches,” Hussey said.

“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.”