The Melbourne Stars have been a consistent Big Bash side, making the top four every season. But who have been their consistent performers?
Today we look at the Stars’ all-time best XI.
Luke Wright
Luke Wright was treated with ultimate acceptance when he arrived at a Stars franchise who only boasted one international – his compatriot Kevin Pietersen.
When Wright lines up for the stars in BBL|06, he will become the only international foundation player. The Englishman’s explosiveness and versatility have ensured he remains a pivotal asset to the stars.
The Melbourne side picked him up in BBL|01 as an all-rounder, batting in the middle order, though he has since evolved into an explosive opener who hits sixes with ease and rarely bowls.
Wright describes his favourite shot as a classical cover drive, a shot he plays purely – as he does all drives. However, should you pitch it short, chances are it’ll be muscled over midwicket. His quick feet work to his advantage.
Stars stats
Seasons: 5
Matches: 43 (=second overall)
Runs: 1136 @ average of 29.89 (3rd overall)
Strike rate: 136 (1st overall for Stars)
50/100: 4/2
6s: 37
Quirky stat: Luke Wright’s century in BBL|01 included the most runs from boundaries with 86 of his 117 coming from boundaries.
Cameron White
Although White has switched allegiances to the Renegades, he led truly in the first four Big Bash series, earning his spot alongside Luke Wright as an opening batsman.
When at his best, White can score boundaries freely, playing with flare, touch and flashiness. He works his way into an innings before piercing gaps and crunching sixes impressively.
Even when not at his best, his business at the crease makes him a player who can play second fiddle capably. Either way, he plays with such confidence and backs his ability as well as anyone.
White is at his best against spinners playing paddles, square drives and awkward straight drives. His quick hands give him great power when he slashes square of the wicket.
Stars stats
Seasons: 4
Matches: 34
Runs: 615 @ 19.82
Strike Rate: 112
50/100: 4/0
6s: 22
Quirky stat: His 27 matches as Stars captain is the most of any player for any BBL team ever.
Kevin Pietersen
It has only taken the controversial Englishman two seasons to stamp his name as one of the Stars’ greatest ever.
While crowds can rely on KP for great insight and a laugh while he’s fielding, he can be equally relied upon with the bat. In just two seasons he has risen to number three on the Stars’ all-time run tally and won over many of his doubters.
Throughout his illustrious international career, he has been entertaining to watch but he has added another dimension to his game. His classical cover drive and reverse pull are his trademark shots, but in reality, are only a small part of a talented man’s game.
Stars stats
Seasons: 2
Matches: 17
Runs: 616 @ 41.06
Strike Rate: 139
50/100: 7/0
6s: 24
Quirky Stat: Combining BBL|04 and BBL|05, Pietersen has the most runs with 629.
Glenn Maxwell
The Big Show has entertained with his unorthodox slogs for the stars.
He hasn’t been the most consistent player, however, when he’s hot, he is one of the most dangerous players in the competition. His creative flair and inventiveness make him very difficult to set a field for, seeing him score regular boundaries.
His handy offies and prodigious fielding are tailor-made for Twenty20 and add another dimension to his game.
Stars stats
Seasons: 4
Matches: 24
Runs: 557 @ 29.31
Strike rate: 157
50/100: 5/0
6s: 26
Innings bowled: 14
Wickets: 10
Economy rate: 7.4
Strike rate: 19.2
Quirky Stat: Glenn Maxwell’s short cameo of 25 not out off ten balls against the strikers in BBL03 is the highest strike rate (innings) by a Star’s player with a strike rate of 250.
David Hussey – vice-captain
Took over the captaincy reigns from Cameron White in BBL|05 and his leadership qualities were evident, taking them to their first Big Final in his first year as captain.
As a batsman, he is more suited to the longer formats however his experience and sensible batting have rescued his team from losses many times. Often labelled the best player of spin going around, he boasts great footwork around the crease and creates width from excellent deliveries.
He is a great user of pace against seam bowlers. He can also chip in with well flighted off spinners that seem to have a knack of finding a breakthrough.
Stars Stats
Seasons: 5
Matches: 39
Runs: 718 @ average 29.91
Strike Rate: 128
50/100: 3/0
6s: 16
Innings bowled: 15
Wickets: 12
Economy rate: 7.50
Strike rate: 16
Quirky Stat: Hussey holds the club highest fourth and sixth wicket partnerships with 80 and 59 respectively. His partners in those innings were George Bailey and Evan Gulbis respectively.
Rob Quiney
In his first four Big Bash campaigns, Quiney showed remarkable ability to play his best innings at crucial times. The Melburnian also had a small gap between his best and worst.
A foundation player, Quiney mostly opened the batting for the stars in the first three Big Bash series and has since become a middle order player. He possessed a great ability to find the middle of the bat early, tick over the strike and put occasional balls to the rope if opposition bowlers weren’t precise.
BBL|05 saw Quiney pushed out of automatic selection largely due to batting depth. However, with the Stars often missing players through international duties, he found his way into the team.
Quiney is a player who doesn’t tend to favour any part of the ground, just playing the ball on its merits. Quiney is a great player to have at the crease to play second fiddle to more aggressive players.
Stars stats
Seasons: 5
Matches: 28
Runs: 494 @ average 22.45
Strike rate: 124
50/100: 2/0
6s: 21
Quirky Stat: He and Luke Wright hold the highest ever domestic Twenty20 first-wicket partnership of 172.
Peter Handscomb
Recognisable by his unusual stance, Handscomb’s clean ball striking and speed between the wickets make him a focal player at the Stars. Although he is a ‘part time’ keeper his keeping is only slightly inferior to that of his closest rival, Matt Wade, while his batting is similar.
His most memorable knock came when the Stars looked in dire straits against the Scorchers until Handscomb’s constant run-scoring kept them in the game and his explosiveness at the end not only gave the Stars the win but also gifted him a century, just the second Star to reach the mark.
Stars stats
Seasons: 4
Matches: 20
Runs: 312 @ average 52
Strike rate: 123
50/100: 1/1
6s: 9
Catches: 11
Stumpings: 4
Quirky Stat: Handscomb is the only player ever to score a century against the scorchers.
James Faulkner
His perennial ODI presence means he can often only play half tournaments for the Stars, however, his presence with bat and ball is always felt.
Over the years, his variations in pace have made him a quality death bowler. His strong hitting means he also contributes with the bat, often coming up in to the middle order as he can provide an exciting cameo of quick runs.
Faulkner also commands great respect amongst his teammates, as shown by the fact he has led the side on one occasion and has long been in the leadership group.
Stars stats
Seasons: 5
Matches: 31
Runs: 297 @ average 22.84
Strike rate: 116
50/100: 0/0
6s: 6
Innings bowled: 31
Wickets: 37
Economy rate: 7.59
Strike rate: 16.6
Quirky stat: James Faulkner is the only Star with more than two maidens. He currently has three.
John Hastings
The Duke, as he’s affectionately known, is the Stars’ most successful bowler.
His intimidating bowling to start things off and ability to consistently bowl wide yorkers and change his pace at the end of an innings make him a vital cog.
Hastings plays his best cricket in high-pressure situations – another significant part of his game. As a strong fella, he is also a handy lower order player. His 40 wickets in the Big Bash sit him comfortably in the lead for the Stars.
Stars stats
Seasons: 4
Matches: 28
Wickets: 40
Economy rate: 7.56
Strike rate: 15.3
Quirky Stat: Hastings holds the unwanted club record of most ducks with three.
Shane Warne – captain
Australia’s spin king finds his way into this best XI (like most best XIs) despite playing just 15 games for the Stars – the fewest of anyone in the team.
The 15 games he did play, though, were of great quality. He showed he can still turn the ball past the bat with relative ease as well as tie down an end to build pressure.
Although not often a captain, Warne’s tactic-work, paired with his ability to predict the game, make him my captain.
Stars stats
Seasons: 2
Matches: 15
Wickets: 11
Economy rate: 7.25
Strike rate: 25.6
Quirky stat: Shane Warne is the only leg spinner to captain a BBL side. He led the Stars six times.
Jackson Bird
Bird has the best economy rate of all of the Stars’ frontline bowlers ever, at 7.15.
A consistent bowler who has his fair share of tricks, Bird has claimed 28 wickets from 24 matches but as a great partnership bowler, he deserves credit for many more wickets.
Bird builds great pressure when he bowls and was often called upon in testing situations, to which he responded excellently. The highlight year of his Stars’ tenure was BBL|03 where he was the leading wicket-taker – taking 13 wickets at a strike rate of 13.
Stars stats
Seasons: 3
Matches: 24
Wickets: 28
Economy rate: 7.15
Strike rate: 18.7
Quirky stat: Jackson Bird has the most wickets against the Renegades with 12.
The team in full:
Luke Wright
Cameron White
Kevin Pietersen
Glenn Maxwell
David Hussey – (vc)
Rob Quiney
Peter Handscomb – (wk)
James Faulkner
John Hastings
Shane Warne – (c)
Jackson Bird
12th man – Michael Beer
What do you think Roarers? Do you agree with my team?
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