Stoinis and Bairstow deadly combination for Stars

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 on Monday.

They loom as the best onetwo punch in the BBL because Bairstow likes pummelling white- ball hundreds for England – 10 in his 83 ODIs and 43 in T20s.

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

Bairstow, who has been playing alongside Aussie star David Warner at Sunrisers in the IPL, is likely to be available for 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,” Hussey said. “He’s been playing at the top level with England for almost a decade now and brings a real competitive fire to matches.”