It’s been a busy day for the Melbourne Stars as they announce their Big Bash League skipper, six new player signings, the retirement of a legend Shane Warne and announced a new lead partner for the competition.
Cameron White will captain the squad in BBL|03. With Shane Warne electing to not play on, the inaugural Stars captain White will return as skipper for the coming BBL|03 season.
Cameron White (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Head Coach Greg Shipperd is enthusiastic about White returning as captain, describing him as ‘one of the world’s best strategic T20 thinkers’.
The former Australian T20 captain is pleased to again be at the helm of the Stars, as he did in the inaugural BBL season.
“I’m rapt and looking forward to be leading the Melbourne Stars once again,” said White. “I’m extremely confident with the list that has been assembled and will be working hard to ensure everything possible is done to give us every chance of success this summer.”
Australian limited overs keeper Matthew Wade, keeper/batsman Peter Handscomb, spinner Clive Rose, paceman Daniel Worrall and all-rounder Alex Keath return to the Stars line-up along with one new face, batsman Marcus Stoinis.
Wade, Handscomb and Keath were all members of the Stars BBL|01 foundation team, while Rose and Worrall are back for their second year with the Stars having penned two year deals respectively. The Stars have secured 16 players from last season’s squad providing great stability.
23-year-old Stoinis, who earned a Cricket Victoria contract this year, played three matches including the final with the Perth Scorchers in BBL|02.
The above six join 11 players who already hold existing contracts with the Melbourne Stars, leaving only one place available on the MCG based teams list. Shipperd is delighted with the assembled squad believing it offers the right mix between experience, young talent, T20 skill-sets and strong Victorian representation.
“The Stars have unfinished business and I’m confident we’ve put together a team that can redeem us as finalists this year,” he said. “We’re very pleased with our latest signings – we feel most spaces are now covered and the squad caters for the potential loss of players due to the concurrent Test and ODI series. Our core batting group provides flexibility and experience. Handscomb, Keath and Stoinis in their own right are energetic and multi‐skilled batsmen who provide further depth.
“The bowling stable oozes classic T20 skills. We feel this group aligns beautifully with Twenty20 demands - accuracy, yorkers and variations. Our emerging spin group in Rose and Maxwell will be well supported by part-timers White, Hussey and Hodge.”
Meanwhile, the Stars announced Dick Smith as their Principal Partner for the next two seasons of the KFC T20 Big Bash League.
James Buttler
As the editor of World Cricket Badger he is intent on building the website to give quality coverage of the domestic game around the world.
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