Melbourne Stars, led by Glenn Maxwell, concluded the league stage of the BBL 2023-2024 season in the sixth position on the points table. After Melbourne Stars failed to make it to the playoffs in this season of the Big Bash League (BBL), influential all-rounder Glenn Maxwell announced his decision to step down from the captaincy.
The Stars, led by Maxwell, secured the sixth position on the points table following the round-robin phase of the eight-team competition. Out of the 10 matches played, they won four and lost six. Having captained the side for over five years, the seasoned campaigner decided to relinquish his captaincy role.
According to reports, Glenn Maxwell communicated his decision to his teammates following Melbourne Stars’ seven-run loss to Hobart Hurricanes at the MCG on Monday, January 15, marking the end of their season.
Despite the appointment of Peter Moores as the new head coach this season, the team, based in Melbourne, continued their streak of not reaching the finals for a fourth consecutive campaign.
Maxwell assumed the captaincy in 2018, succeeding John Hastings, who had served in the role for a season after David Hussey’s retirement. During Maxwell’s leadership, the Stars reached the BBL final in both 2018-19 and 2019-20 but were defeated by the Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Sixers, respectively.
Notably, the Stars and the Hurricanes are the only two teams in the BBL yet to secure a title. Although Glenn Maxwell, at 35, has a few more years in his contract with the Stars, fellow veteran all-rounder Marcus Stoinis is currently without a contract.
Reports indicate that the Stars are interested in retaining him within the squad. Prior to the season commencement, Melbourne extended Hilton Cartwright’s contract for an additional couple of years.
However, contracts for Joe Burns, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Brody Couch, and Corey Rocchiccioli have expired.
‘It feels like the last four years out of finals contention is quite frustrating’ -Glenn Maxwell’s situation prior to the loss against Hobart Hurricanes
Ahead of the Stars’ loss to the Hurricanes, Glenn Maxwell appeared visibly frustrated. He expressed disappointment, attributing missed opportunities and ill-timed injuries as factors contributing to the unfavorable outcome in the season.
“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.
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