Big Bash League team Melbourne Stars has re-signed their star all-rounder James Faulkner along with fast bowler Daniel Worrall and stumper Sam Harper for the upcoming Big Bash 2015-16 Squad.
The Big Bash 2015-16 starts from 17 December 2015 with Sydney Thunder taking on Sydney Sixers in the first match of the new season. The schedule for the upcoming Big Bash can be downloaded from here.
James Faulkner resigns with Melbourne Stars committing for next 4 years.
They have also named their veteran T20 star David Hussey as the skipper. It was also confirmed that James Faulkner was named as the vice-captain and had committed to the franchise for the next 4 years. “I’m really looking forward to getting back on the field with the Melbourne Stars this summer,” Faulkner said. “With a new coach and a new captain, we’ve got a lot to play for this season” added Faulkner in the interview.
The another interesting signing was off 18 years old wicket keeper Sam Harper who will be juggling studies with keeping duties for the Melbourne Stars franchise in the BBL 05. “It’s super exciting to have the opportunity to continue learning from players that I’ve looked up to for a long time now including our new captain David Hussey,” Harper said.
The Big Bash League 2015-16 can be seen live on Star Sports Network in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, by Network TEN will broadcast in Australia, Sky Sports in New Zealand, by Sky Sports network in the United Kingdom and by Willow Sports in the United States of America (USA).
Melbourne Stars will play their first match against BBL04 table-toppers Adelaide Strikers. This time also the two teams will meet on the same date as the previous year and Stars would not like to repeat history this time.
Stars bowling coach Mick Lewis was also excited with the resigning of pacer Daniel Worrall. Worrall has already played 2 seasons of BBL with Melbourne Stars and will be looking to become their star strike bowler. Melbourne Stars already have a star-studded bowling lineup with the likes of Adam Zampa, Ben Hilfenhaus, John Hastings and James Faulkner himself.
The Melbourne Stars were dealt a big blow when their icon player former Australian captain Michael Clarke who had signed on for 2 years, decided abruptly to withdraw from the upcoming Big Bash tournament. Clarke had retired from ODI cricket after winning the ICC World Cup 2015 and then recently called time on his Test career after a 3-2 Ashes defeat at the hands of England.
The Melbourne stars have a new coach this season in former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming and with the experience he has in coaching 2 times IPL and Champions League winners Chennai Super Kings, Stars will definitely hope for a better finish this time.
Their 2 international stars Luke Wright and Kevin Pietersen from England are confirmed to return. They only have one spot left in their squad to fill up.
Melbourne Stars Squad for Big Bash 2015-16:
David Hussey (capt), James Faulkner (vice-capt), Michael Beer, Scott Boland, Evan Gulbis, Peter Handscomb, Sam Harper, John Hastings, Ben Hilfenhaus, Glenn Maxwell, Kevin Pietersen, Rob Quiney, Marcus Stoinis, Tom Triffitt, Daniel Worrell, Luke Wright, Adam Zampa.
