Marcus Stoinis named Melbourne Stars captain ahead of 2024-25 Big Bash League

Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has been named the Melbourne Stars captain ahead of the 2024-25 Big Bash League (BBL). The 35-year-old will replace Glenn Maxwell who captained the side in 65 matches across the five seasons he was at the helm.

Stoinis led the team when Maxwell missed a home game against the Perth Scorchers last season. Maxwell stepped down from the captaincy at the end of the 2023-24 BBL after the Melbourne Stars failed to make it to the playoffs and finished sixth among eight teams.

"The Melbourne Stars have been such a constant in my life every summer for the last 10 years" - Marcus Stoinis

The 14th edition of the T20 extravaganza is all set to kick off on Sunday, December 15, with the Perth Scorchers - the most successful team in the BBL history - hosting the Melbourne Stars at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The Stars are yet to win the BBL crown. They have lost the final on three occasions — in 2015-16, 2018-19, and 2019-20.

With 2656 runs in 98 matches, Marcus Stoinis is the second-highest scorer for the Melbourne Stars, only behind Glenn Maxwell. He also signed a three-year extension at the end of the last season. On being named the captain ahead of a new campaign, an elated Stoinis exuded confidence about his team's ability to bring home the elusive maiden silverware this year. He said (via cricket.com.au):

"I had a little bit of a taste of captaining the side in 'Maxi's' absence last year and loved the opportunity, so to be given the role full-time is a great honour. The Stars have been such a constant in my life every summer for the last 10 years and I truly believe with the group we have assembled this season both on and off the field we can bring some long overdue success to the club."

Meanwhile, Brisbane Heat are the defending champions, having clinched their second BBL title. They defeated the Sydney Sixers by 54 runs in the previous edition's final. The upcoming season's summit clash is all set to be played on January 27, 2025.