‘Water under the bridge’: Ashes villain bound for Big Bash debut
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Jonny Bairstow isn’t expecting a warm welcome as he looks to reconcile with Australian fans this summer, having signed a $400,000 deal with the Melbourne Renegades for the 2025-26 Big Bash League season.
The 37-year-old is no stranger to hostile Australian crowds. He featured in England’s Ashes tours in 2013-14, 2017-18 and 2021-22, but cemented his infamy down under following the controversial second test at Lord’s in 2023, where he reacted furiously to being stumped by Alex Carey after wandering out of his crease.
Jonny Bairstow of England is run out by Alex Carey of Australia. Getty
“That was years ago now ... there’s a lot of water that’s passed under that bridge,” Bairstow said of the mockery from Australian fans around that moment.
“It’s obviously still talked about ... but it should be great fun, and I’m sure it will be taken in the right way.”
Despite a 17-year career spanning T20 leagues in India, South Africa, Pakistan, and the UAE, this marks Bairstow’s first foray into the BBL.
He joins former Test skipper Ben Stokes, who recently signed a one-year deal with the Adelaide Strikers. Bairstow was dropped from the England Test side following their 2024 tour of India.
“There’s been some great battles … over many years in all formats,” Bairstow said.
“I think that, first and foremost, Australian fans enjoy people that get stuck in and are very passionate about playing cricket and want to win. That’s something that wholeheartedly I can say that I’ve done over my career, and that doesn’t stop.
“The reaction from the Renegades fans I’m sure will be pretty good, and by the other fans as well, there will be some fun along the way, there’s bound to be, but that’s part and parcel of playing as an overseas in the Big Bash.”
Bairstow faces a tough assignment on the pitch.
The Renegades - whose license Cricket Australia plans to sell to private investors - won their sole BBL title in 2018-19 and have made the top four just once in the past seven seasons.
Still, the veteran Englishman is eager to return to Melbourne.
“To call the MCG my home ground is great,” continued Bairstow.
“In 2013, there were (91,092) in on day one (of Bairstow’s first Test match in Australia). It was absolutely epic.
"Of sporting stadiums around the world that you want to play in, that's definitely in the top few."
The Renegades will face the Perth Scorchers in their first match this season.
