Melbourne Stars

Last year: 4th on ladder (4 wins, 3 losses)

Overview

10 re-signed, 4 added, 3 lost, 5 not signed

Big gets

Brad Hodge, Glenn Maxwell

Big losses

George Bailey

Possible limited availability

James Pattinson, Matthew Wade

Thoughts

When week one of contracting began the stories started that Shane Warne was definitely coming back, and was to replace Cameron White as captain. The two weeks of madness have now run their course and Warne isn’t yet a sure thing for BBL|02. That said, the Stars haven’t got a top-flight spinner on their list, just youngster Clive Rose and a handful of handy part-timers, so you would assume they are still reasonably sure that they’ll land Warne before November 30.

White has resigned the captaincy to focus on his batting, which has improved a lot since he was axed from the national T20 team earlier in the year due to poor form. The addition of Hodge and Maxwell is a big one. Both might be at opposite ends of their respective careers, but nobody will argue Hodge’s skill at the shortest form of the game, in fact many would argue that he should still be starring in the green and gold. Maxwell has suddenly found himself on a rapid rise, he was solid last year for the Renegades, and just days after signing with the Stars for 4 years, he was picked in both the Australian ODI and T20 squads to tour the UAE next month.

The Stars will probably be hoping that Brad Haddin returns to the test team so that they can keep Matthew Wade all for themselves, but just in-case they don’t have that luxury they have added Peter Handscomb as cover. There was also no mention of Peter Siddle when the rest of their pace attack was announced, but given that he should be on Test duty of most of the tournament it sort of makes sense. Should be aiming to better last year’s performance with the names they’ve signed up.

Grade

A The bulk of last year’s team returns, the addition of Hodge and Maxwell should cover for the loss of Voges and Bailey. A+ if they can bring back Warne.