The 2018-19 Big Bash League season is now just a few weeks away! In the lead up to BBL08, we will be providing a full season preview for all eight teams starting today with the Melbourne Stars! Be sure to check back in the coming days as we continue to work our way up from the bottom of the BBL07 table with our team previews.
BBL08 Team Previews
Melbourne Stars
Last Season: 8th
In: Dwayne Bravo, Travis Dean, Nic Maddinson, Sandeep Lamichhane, Matt Parkinson, Jackson Bird
Out: James Faulkner, John Hastings, Kevin Pietersen, Rob Quiney, Luke Wright, Sam Harper
Current Squad: Michael Beer, Scott Boland, Liam Bowe, Dwayne Bravo, Jackson Coleman, Travis Dean, Ben Dunk, Seb Gotch, Evan Gulbis, Peter Handscomb, Sandeep Lamichhane, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jonathan Merlo, Marcus Stoinis, Daniel Worrall, Adam Zampa, Matt Parkinson, Jackson Bird
After the most disappointing finish to a season in BBL history for the Melbourne Stars, they implemented a major overhaul of a side that has revolved around the same core since it’s initiation into the league. The Stars wave goodbye to stalwarts in James Faulkner, John Hastings, Kevin Pietersen, Rob Quiney, Luke Wright and Sam Harper, who were all a part of their six consecutive trips to the finals in the first six years of the BBL.
The Stars look to return to the finals in BBL08 after winning just two games last season. Kiwi Stephen Fleming will once again coach the side despite speculation over his position after the poor season last year. Peter Handscomb is the appointed captain of the side, however, due to international duties, the captaincy game to game could change between the likes of Glenn Maxwell or potentially Marcus Stoinis.
The Stars will see some new faces in their top order for the first time in BBL history. With no Kevin Pietersen, Rob Quiney or Luke Wright, who are three of the Stars top four run scorers in their short history, Melbourne will need to find some reliable runs in the top order elsewhere.
Ben Dunk was disappointing in his first year in a Stars jersey and will look to improve in the opening slot. He’ll likely be joined by Nic Maddinson and Travis Dean in the top three. It’s the middle order where the Stars possess some real all-round talent. Glenn Maxwell will likely bat at four followed by two of the most exciting all-rounders in the game in Marcus Stoinis and Dwayne Bravo. When available, Peter Handscomb will fill the remaining batting slot, or else it will be up for grabs between the likes of Evan Gulbis, Seb Gotch and Jonathan Merlo.
While the batting lineup has changed drastically for the Stars in BBL08, the bowling lin-eup should remain relatively similar despite the exclusions of all-rounders James Faulkner and John Hastings. The Stars will still rely heavily on Jackson Bird, Daniel Worral and Scott Boland in terms of seam bowlers, while the spin duo of Michael Beer and Adam Zampa is one of the best in the league.
The Stars have also added Nepalese spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, who has been on a tear throughout the world T20 circuit, bowling handy overs for the likes of the Dehli Daredevils in India and the Lahore Qalandars in Pakistan. With both Bravo and Stoinis able to chip in quality medium pace overs, we could see the Stars playing three spinners at times this season.
Best XI
1. Ben Dunk
2. Travis Dean
3. Nic Maddinson
4. Peter Handscomb
5. Glenn Maxwell
6. Marcus Stoinis
7. Dwayne Bravo
8. Daniel Worral
9. Adam Zampa
10. Sandeep Lamichhane
11. Jackson Bird
We aren't going to read too much into the Stars form from BBL07 here. They are a much more talented side than that record suggests and have added some quality pieces this season. Kevin Pietersen, Luke Wright and Rob Quiney had run their race in the BBL heading into last season and the upgrades at the top of the order should prove fruitful. Ben Dunk had one of his worst BBL season’s last year, one that we think he should improve from.
The bowling lineup relies heavily on the spinners but that’s common in the modern age of T20 cricket. We think the Stars bounce back slightly this season but still find themselves just outside the finals.
