BBL 14 SWOT Analysis: The Strengths And Weaknesses Of Melbourne Stars

Aashay Chopade

Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis will be key players for Melbourne Stars (Source:@MidnightMusinng/X.com)Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis will be key players for Melbourne Stars (Source:@MidnightMusinng/X.com)

It's Decemeber 2024 and the stage is set for another enticing edition of the Big Bash League as the flagship T20 tournament reaches its 14th season. The journey so far has produced some memorable moments with many young and experienced cricketers using the platform to entertain cricket lovers all over the world.

The 14th edition will kickstart from 15th of December and will be a 44-match tournament where eight quality teams will be seen battling out for the prestigious BBL trophy. One of them is Melbourne Stars, a team that has always been strong on paper, but have not clicked as a unit in most of the seasons and are still searching for their first BBL title.

The Stars have been runners-up thrice, but they did not qualify for the playoffs in the last four seasons, and have a new captain in the form of Marcus Stoinis this season. He has replaced Glenn Maxwell and would be looking to take Stars to a position where they have never been in the past. 

So, let's see the strengths and weaknesses of their squad and the best possible playing XI ahead of the curtain raiser against Perth Scorchers.

Melbourne Stars Squad For BBL 14

Marcus Stoinis (C), Scott Boland, Hilton Cartwright, Joe Clarke (ENG), Brody Couch, Tom Curran (ENG), Ben Duckett (ENG), Sam Harper, Campbell Kellaway, Glenn Maxwell, Hamish McKenzie, Jonathan Merlo, Adam Milne (NZ), Usama Mir (PAK), Joel Paris, Tom Rogers, Peter Siddle, Mark Steketee, Doug Warren, Beau Webster

Strengths Of Melbourne Stars For BBL 14

Quality All-Rounders Provide Balance

Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis are the two superstars who have donned Stars' jersey with great pride over the years. Both of them are world-class cricketers, capable of winning the games for their side single-handedly and this season, they have Tom Curran alongside them. The English star has grown in stature as an all-rounder in recent times, and his ability to soak the pressure both with the bat and ball would be handy for Stars.

Hence, this all-rounder trio with their international experience and world-class skills provides great balance and depth. They will also allow Stars to try out different combinations and it would help them acclimatise to different conditions better.

Experienced Arsenal

Melbourne Stars unit this season is full of quality experienced cricketers. They have brought in English duo of Ben Duckett and Tom Curran who are proven performers while they have also added Peter Siddle to the already experienced Australian contingent of Maxwell, Stoinis, Scott Boland, Beau Webster and Sam Harper.

This experience in the squad can help them navigate safely through tough situations and if they gel as a unit, they can become a difficult team to beat this season.

Weaknesses Of Melbourne Stars For BBL 14

Lack Of Quaity In Spin Department

Adam Zampa served Melbourne Stars with great distinction till BBL 12, but he is no longer part of Stars' family and they are likely to miss him in the the 2024-25 season. They have tried to fill the void by bringing in Pakistan spinner Usama Mir, but he has not done anything great in BBL with five wickets in as many matches and has not been in great form either.

Also, he is not a bowler who can run through the batting line-ups while other options like Hamish McKenzie and Dough Warren are still finding their feet in the Australian domestic circuit.

Availability Issues Can Create Instability

Melbourne Stars have some genuine match-winners in their squad but Stars don't have the luxury of having all of them for the full season. Their top signing Ben Duckett is unavailable for initial three games and is also likely to miss the backend of the season due to his national duties. 

Scott Boland and Beau Webster are with the Australia Test team in BGT, and are likely to miss some games. Also, there is suspense over fitness of Glenn Maxwell, and Usama Mir will also miss initial three games. Therefore it could create some instability in the Stars' line-up with players coming in and going out and it could hamper their desire of clicking as a unit this season.

Probable Playing XI Of Melbourne Stars For First Match

Note: Glenn Maxwell, Ben Duckett, Usama Mir, Beau Webster and Scott Boland are not available for the first match

Joe Clarke (WK) ✈️
Tom Rogers
Sam Harper
Marcus Stoinis (C)
Hiliton Cartwright
Campbell Kellaway
Tom Curran ✈️
Hamish McKenzie
Joe Paris
Adam Milne ✈️
Peter Siddle