MELBOURNE STARS
LAST SEASON: 3rd (5 wins, 3 losses)
PREDICTION: 2nd
In: Adam Zampa (Strikers), Evan Gulbis, Ben Hilfenhaus (Hurricanes)
Out: Cameron White (Melbourne Renegades), Jackson Bird (Sydney Sixers), Clive Rose (Hurricanes), Luke Feldman (Heat), Clint McKay (Thunder)
Retained: Michael Beer, Scott Boland, James Faulkner, Peter Handscomb, Sam Harper, John Hastings, David Hussey, Glenn Maxwell, Kevin Pietersen, Rob Quiney, Marcus Stoinis, Tom Triffitt, Dan Worrall, Luke Wright
THE BRIEF
Pre-tournament favourite and beaten semi finalist in each of the first four years of the Big Bash.
Have always talked a big game with a host of big names but have, dare I say it, choked at the penultimate match. Perhaps it’s something to do with Eddie McGuire being club chairman and therefore having an automatic link to Collingwood.
They certainly lose some quality players with Cameron White, Jackson Bird and Clint McKay moving on but in saying that, only White was a regular member of the side last season.
Zampa is a quality spinner and Hilfenhaus also has class if he can find his best form but, as is always the case, how many players they lose to the national one day side will most likely determine their destiny.
I think, given how much the likes of Boland, Triffitt, Handscomb and co have come on in 12 months will be the side’s greatest asset this season and therefore I can see them at least making the final.
THE FAB FIVE
LUKE WRIGHT (batsman)
Returning for a fifth season with the Stars and a consistently solid batsman at the top of the order.
Last year’s BBL was probably slightly below par but as a specialist short form gun for hire, you know his best is never too far away.
Having switched from established bat maker Grey Nichols, Wright is using his very own brand of bats in this summer’s BBL. Hopefully for his sake and the Stars, they work alright.
KEVIN PIETERSEN (bastsman)
Returning for a second season with the Stars and with some unfinished business.
Showed glimpses last season but wasn’t the consistently damaging and destructive player most were expecting.
Added plenty on the microphone and, now as a T20 gun for hire, will be desperate to add that consistency and help the Stars to an elusive BBL title.
SCOTT BOLAND (bowler)
In career best form with the red ball including a match winning seven wicket haul to steamroll Victoria to victory against WA.
His exploits this summer have him on the fringes of the Australian test squad and if he can repeat those feats with the white ball, the Stars have themselves a very damaging weapon up front.
JAMES FAULKNER (all rounder)
Arguably the best short form all rounder in the country, he has earned a reputation as The Finisher.
Now vice-captain and having just signed a four year deal to remain with the Stars, Faulkner can use the Big Bash to push his claims for test selection as he is already a key member of Australia’s one day and T20 line-ups.
GLENN MAXWELL (all rounder)
As damaging a twenty 20 player as there is in the world who just struggles for consistency.
At his best, Maxwell can take the game from an opposition side with bat, ball or in the field.
Bounced back from a devastating low against Brisbane last summer where he famously left a ball – his first – and watched it cannon in to middle stump.
