Jonny Bairstow has not been tempted to watch Australia’s latest behind-the-scenes documentary ahead of a renewal of hostilities at the T20 World Cup, but he remains convinced his controversial run-out last summer helped England raise their game.

The rivals face off in Barbados on Saturday in a match that will have a big say in shaping group B, with England particularly keen for the points after being rained off against Scotland. 

But the tensions of last summer’s Ashes still sit close to the surface, with some of the ill-feeling flaring up after the recent arrival of season three of ‘The Test’ on Prime Video. 

Bairstow’s deeply divisive dismissal at Lord’s is a major focal point of the fly-on-the-wall series, with a host of talking heads from the Australian camp basking gleefully in recollections of an incident that many in England felt compromised the spirit of the game. 

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The man at the centre of the drama has not logged on to relive the moment but offered a pointed reminder that England rallied after the row to dominate the contest for the next three Tests, having to settle for 2-2 only because of a rain-affected draw at Old Trafford. 

“I’ve not seen any of it to be quite honest with you. I’ve got other things that I watch on TV, I don’t need to sit and watch that in my hotel room,” said Bairstow. 

“You see enough cricket when you’re involved in it day to day and playing it. But I think that post that event, the way in which we as a side reacted to that was a real positive. 

“You look at the results after that thing that happened at Lord’s and I actually think that we finished that series a lot stronger than Australia did. 

“Look, I think the impact it had on us as a side, the Test side, was actually a very positive effect and you can make your own assumptions as to what effect it had on Australia and their individuals.” 

Alex Carey, who performed the run-out and immediately embarked on a spell of dreadful form, is not part of the Australia squad but Pat Cummins, who claimed responsibility for the idea as captain, is due to play. 

Bairstow will hope for a better personal riposte after he was dismissed for a golden duck when teams met in the 50-over World Cup in November. 

England suffered a false start in the West Indies when they watched Scotland put on 0-90 in 10 overs only for rain to deny them a response. 

A win over Namibia took the Scots top of group B while Australia beat Oman, so defeat on their return to the Kensington Oval would leave England awkwardly placed on just one point after two games – though they will hope to pick up four more from games against Oman and Namibia in Antigua. 

“It doesn’t derail us either way. We know we’ve got to win more games than we lose in tournament cricket,” Bairstow said. 

“A win puts you in a position in the group which is obviously more favourable but the other two games after this are must-win games anyway. But it would be good for momentum and confidence. 

England are weighing up whether to draft left-arm seamer Reece Topley into their side, with Mark Wood the likeliest bowler to be rotated out.

Meanwhile, Australia captain Mitch Marsh expects England fans to dominate the stands in Barbados at their T20 World Cup clash and is ready for the Kensington Oval to feel “just like playing at Headingley”.

English supporters always flock to one of their favourite islands in impressive numbers and have already been out in force on the strip at the St Lawrence Gap, while a considerably longer travel time means the followers of the green and gold will be harder to spot.

Just a few months on from a highly partisan Ashes series, Marsh is ready to feel like an away side, despite the neutral territory.

“I dare say this place will be full and it’ll be mostly English fans, so it’ll be like playing at Headingley all over again, or anywhere in England where you get sprayed,” he said.

“The atmosphere, the vibe of the game, there’s always a lot riding on it.”

Australia rested Pat Cummins for their first game, a workmanlike win over Oman, but that was more of a precaution than any real concern over fitness.

“I dare say Patty will be back in,” Marsh confirmed of his predecessor.

“He’d played a lot of cricket, had a long travel from the IPL and we wanted to make sure he was cherry ripe for this game. It’s as simple as that.”

Starc is also fit for duty, having struggled with cramp against Oman.

Australia are looking to become all-format world champions over the next few weeks, with the World Test Championship and 50-over World Cup already in the bank, a title they would already hold had they won the last 20-over crown on home soil in 2022.

Instead, it was Jos Buttler who lifted the trophy for England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Reflecting on their biggest rivals’ triumph, Marsh said: “Any team that wins it when you’re not, it’s always hard to watch.

“I’m not sure ‘annoying’ is the right word. I’ve got a few mates there. But I think if you look back at that World Cup, they were the best team throughout the whole tournament and they deserved it.

“So, we start fresh again here and hopefully it’s us, not them, this time.

“England have been exceptional in this format for a long period of time now, so there’s certainly going to be a lot on the game and we’re pumped.”