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January 19, 2024
Under Glenn Maxwell’s leadership, the Melbourne Stars secured sixth place on the BBL 2023-2024 points table after the league stage.
The Melbourne Stars’ captain and all-around talisman, Glenn Maxwell, has resigned from the franchise following the team’s elimination from the Big Bash League (BBL) 2023–2024 playoffs.
Under Maxwell’s leadership, the Stars finished sixth on the points table after the round-robin stage of the eight-team competition, winning four of their ten matches and losing six. After more than five years at the helm, Maxwell decided to step down from his captaincy role.
Reports indicate that Maxwell informed his teammates of his decision following their seven-run defeat to the Hobart Hurricanes at the MCG on January 15. The Melbourne Stars fell short of reaching the finals for the fourth consecutive year despite Peter Moores taking over as head coach this season.
Maxwell took over the captaincy from John Hastings in 2018, who had stepped in following David Hussey’s retirement. During Maxwell’s tenure, the Stars reached the BBL finals in 2018-19 and 2019-20. Nevertheless, they suffered defeats at the hands of the Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Renegades. The Stars and the Hurricanes are the only BBL teams yet to secure a title.
At 35, Maxwell still has a few years remaining on his contract with the Stars. Meanwhile, another veteran all-rounder, Marcus Stoinis, is currently out of contract, with reports suggesting the Stars are eager to retain him. Before the season, Melbourne extended Hilton Cartwright’s contract for an additional two years. Still, contracts for Joe Burns, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Brody Couch, and Corey Rocchiccioli have expired.
Before the Stars’ defeat to the Hurricanes, Maxwell appeared visibly frustrated. He said the team had squandered crucial opportunities and attributed the disappointing campaign to poorly timed injuries.
“We left our run in someone else’s hands which is never what you want to do in this game. We put ourselves in this position and we have to live with that now. After the first couple of years, having so much dominance and not being able to get over that final hurdle, it feels like the last four years out of finals contention is quite frustrating. We feel like we’ve had a good enough list, probably haven’t had enough luck with injuries and timing, replacements and it just all seems to compound on itself,” Maxwell was quoted as saying by Fox Cricket.
The Sixers will host the final at the renowned Sydney Cricket Ground on January 24.
20 Jan 2024
Paceman Ben Dwarshuis credits his Big Bash League (BBL) success, including his career-best performance of 5 for 21 that propelled the Sydney Sixers into the final, to his T20I experience with Australia in India. The 29-year-old delivered a standout performance in the Qualifier match, leading his team to a 39-run victory over the Brisbane Heat on January 19 at Carrara.
Having played in Australia’s T20I series against India in December, Dwarshuis has maintained impressive wicket-taking form since returning to the BBL. He highlighted that his stint in India, a leading hub for T20 cricket, and his strong performances there were pivotal to his success in the BBL.
“In India, I just think how calm the environment is in the Aussie set-up at the moment was really nice. It was easy to slide in and be clear on your roles and execute. Going to India, who are the powerhouses of T20 cricket, and putting in a few good performances there a few weeks out from the BBL let me start the tournament with plenty of confidence. Fortunately, I’ve been able to keep that form going. One more game, and hopefully it keeps going,” Dwarshuis was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
On January 24, the Sixers will host the storied Sydney Cricket Ground final.. Interestingly, none of their players have been selected for the tournament’s team. However, Dwarshuis sees this not as a disadvantage but as a testament to the strong team culture developed under the leadership of captain Moises Henriques and coach Greg Shipperd.
“We don’t have anyone in the team of the tournament, but if there was a second or third team of the tournament most of our squad would be in there. We are a team where everybody stands up when they need to. We don’t just rely on one or two players game-in and game-out.
“Everyone has made great contributions throughout the BBL and when you get in pressure moments that’s a really important thing to have in your team. It’s a great trait and one of the reasons why the Sixers have been so successful the last few years,” the 29-year-old further said.
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Top Cricket News, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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