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Marcus Stoinis has been officially appointed as the new captain of the Melbourne Stars for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season, taking over from Glenn Maxwell, who stepped down at the end of the last summer campaign.
The 35-year-old Stoinis, who has been a key player for the Stars over the years, steps into the leadership role after previously captaining the side once during Maxwell’s absence last season. Despite being a contender for the interim captaincy when Maxwell was sidelined during the 2022-23 season with a broken leg, the franchise had opted for Adam Zampa at the time.
Stoinis is now the second player, alongside Maxwell, to play 100 matches for the Melbourne Stars in the BBL. The experienced all-rounder signed a three-year contract extension at the end of the last season, ensuring his stay at the club until the end of the 2026-27 season.
Stoinis Excited for Leadership Opportunity
Expressing his gratitude and enthusiasm for the new role, Stoinis said:
“I had a little bit of a taste of captaining the side in Maxi’s absence last year and loved the opportunity, so to be given the role full-time is a great honour.
“The Stars have been such a constant in my life every summer for the last 10 years, and I truly believe that the group we have assembled both on and off the field can bring some long-overdue success to the club.”
Stars’ Tribute to Glenn Maxwell
Blair Crouch, the General Manager of the Melbourne Stars, paid tribute to Maxwell for his contributions as captain over the last five seasons, saying:
“First of all, I want to acknowledge and thank Glenn Maxwell for all his efforts in leading the side over the past five seasons. He will continue to be a wonderful resource for everyone at the club.”
Crouch also praised Stoinis for his leadership potential:
“Marcus demonstrated his leadership ability last year and has been a senior member of the side for a long time. It’s wonderful to have someone who has been at the Stars almost from our inception lead our club in BBL14.”
Challenges Ahead for Stoinis
Stoinis is expected to lead a depleted Stars lineup in the early stages of the tournament. Glenn Maxwell’s return remains uncertain as he recovers from a hamstring injury, making him doubtful for the season opener. Additionally, Scott Boland and Beau Webster are likely to miss early matches due to commitments with Australia’s Test squad, while overseas recruits Ben Duckett and Osama Mir will be unavailable for the first three games.
Other Updates from the BBL
- Melbourne Renegades: The Renegades have finalized their squad with the signings of Victorian duo Marcus Harris and Xavier Crone.
- Brisbane Heat: All-rounder Jack Wildermuth has joined the Heat as their final squad member. However, the Heat will name three local replacements soon, as Michael Neser, Usman Khawaja, and Marnus Labuschagne will miss the start of the season due to injuries and international commitments.
The BBL 14 season promises to be an exciting affair, with Stoinis leading the charge for the Melbourne Stars as they aim for a long-awaited title
