England News
Jonny Bairstow joins former England captain Ben Stokes in securing Big Bash League deal
Jonny Bairstow is heading to Australia for his first Big Bash League stint, joining Ben Stokes among a strong contingent of English players featuring in the competition this winter.
Former England batsman Jonny Bairstow is set for his maiden stint in Australia’s Big Bash League this winter after signing for Melbourne Renegades, joining Ben Stokes as a marquee English recruit Down Under.
The experienced 37-year-old, who has not played international cricket since the 2024 T20 World Cup, will represent the 2018/19 champions at the top of the order as a replacement for New Zealand opener Tim Seifert who has made a lucrative switch to the Sydney Sixers.
A fiery competitor through the years, Bairstow will no doubt relish the prospect of adopting pantomime villain status with the Australian crowds following his previous Ashes exchanges, most notably being at the centre of that dramatic stumping at Lord’s in 2023.
The World Cup winner has been involved in three disastrous Ashes tours between 2014-2022, making two centuries, but was ruled out of England’s triumphant T20 World Cup campaign in Australia four years ago through injury.
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Australia bound
Bairstow had been due to play for Melbourne Stars in 2020 but had to withdraw due to a Test recall for a tour of South Africa.
He has spent the previous two winters in the SA20, winning the competition with Sunrisers Eastern Cape last time out while the veteran has also been an IPL regular – though he only featured twice for Mumbai Indians in 2026.
Bairstow captained Yorkshire to the T20 Blast quarter-finals this season, scoring 384 runs at a strike rate above 140, but experienced a fairly lean Hundred campaign with just 136 runs in seven innings after making the move to London Spirit from Welsh Fire.
He is closing in on 7,000 T20 runs across his 285-game career in the format, averaging 30.22 with five centuries.
Bairstow’s new side, who will now play their home matches at the MCG alongside their city rivals, are at the centre of Cricket Australia’s privatisation push for the Big Bash as the first franchise up for sale with the intent of new ownership for the 2027-28 edition.
They are also involved in the controversial move to stage the opening game of the upcoming season in Chennai, where the Renegades will face defending champions Perth Scorchers on December 12th in a landmark occasion.
PICTURE: Alamy
Plenty of English interest
The draft selection process was scrapped this time around, with franchises instead negotiating directly for players.
While overseas stars were no longer a requirement, England players remain in high demand.
Former England Test captain Ben Stokes has joined Adelaide Strikers for his first BBL appearance in over ten years, where he is slated to open the batting.
Zak Crawley makes a return to holders Perth Scorchers, who also handed Northamptonshire all-rounder Calvin Harrison his first overseas franchise gig.
Craig Overton will make his BBL debut for Melbourne Stars, where he will line up alongside his twin brother Jamie who has moved from Adelaide Strikers.
Big Bash regulars Sam Billings and Tom Curran will once again feature – wicketkeeper Billings remains at Sydney Thunder under incoming head coach Andrew Flintoff, while all-rounder Curran has switched the Stars for Brisbane Heat.
It is also being reported that bowler Chris Jordan will sign for Sydney Sixers.
Elsewhere in a busy period for franchise cricket, a total of 31 England players have registered their name for the SA20 auction held on October 7, including the likes of Jordan Cox, Liam Dawson, Aneurin Donald and Jamie Smith.
England stars Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Will Jacks and Phil Salt are among those already retained or signed ahead of the fifth season beginning in January 2027, joining James Coles, Lewis Gregory, Liam Livingstone and James Vince.
The ILT20 and Abu Dhabi T10 drafts have also been taking place this week, with a host of current and former England internationals, as well as leading county performers, earning deals for the winter franchise season.
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