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Briton Jonny Bairstow will make his Australian Big Bash League debut and signed for Melbourne Stars.
The tenth edition of the Twenty20 event starts on December 10, but the 31-year-old batsman-wicketkeeper won’t be available until after Christmas.
Bairstow, who represented England in every game format, recently played in the Indian Premier League with the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
“I’m really glad I signed with the Stars,” said the Yorkshireman.
“I’ve always watched BBL no matter where I’ve been in the world and it will be great to finally be a part of it. The Stars are one of the competition’s profile clubs and have a track record of being in contention in the final.”
Melbourne Stars manager David Hussey said Bairstow was an important addition with bat and gloves.
“I am delighted that Jonny has decided to make his BBL debut with us. He has been at the highest level with England for almost a decade and brings real competitive fire,” said Hussey.
“His experience and versatility will be a valuable addition to our batting lineup, and we also have several retention options.”
Australia’s Big Bash League teams will be able to field up to three foreign players this winter, up from two last season, and Bairstow is the seventh Briton to enter the two-month competition.
The other England players are Jason Roy and Liam Livingstone (Perth Scorchers), Dawid Malan (Hobart Hurricanes), Alex Hales (Sydney Thunder), Tom Banton (Brisbane Heat) and Tom Curran (Sydney Sixers).
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