• Home
  • Cricket News
  • Melbourne Stars Re Sign Jonathan Merlo Draft Tom Whitney For Bbl 15

Melbourne Stars re-sign Jonathan Merlo; draft Tom Whitney for BBL 15

Akshita Patel

Melbourne Stars signs 2 players for BBL 15 [Source: @BBL/X.com]Melbourne Stars signs 2 players for BBL 15 [Source: @BBL/X.com]

As the Big Bash League season 15 gets closer, the Melbourne Stars have made some exciting moves. The club has officially re-signed Jonathan Merlo and also drafted young Tom Whitney to complete an 18-player squad.

One of the biggest talking points is the return of Jonathan Merlo. The batting all-rounder has been re-signed and will now play his sixth Big Bash season. 

Merlo, Whitney complete Melbourne Stars’ BBL 15 squad

Jonathan Merlo is not new to the Melbourne Stars, having played 13 matches for them in the past, along with four games for the Melbourne Renegades. 

Merlo is flexible and can contribute with both bat and ball. He is also comfortable playing at the MCG, which is a big plus for the Stars.

Another exciting addition is young fast bowler Tom Whitney. The 23-year-old from Queensland is seen as one of the rising talents in Australian cricket. 

He got his first taste of the Big Bash last season when he played two matches for the Brisbane Heat. 

Now with the Stars, he is expected to bring extra firepower to their pace attack. 

With those two signings, Melbourne Stars have locked their 18-member squad for the Big Bash League 15 season. 

Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Haris Rauf, Peter Siddle, Scott Boland, and Mitch Swepson are the core of the team, while young prospects like Whiteney will also be on the watch list.

Melbourne Stars' BBL 15 squad

Austin Anlezark, Scott Boland, Hilton Cartwright, Joe Clarke, Tom Curran, Sam Harper, Liam Hatcher, Campbell Kellaway, Glenn Maxwell, Hamish McKenzie, Jonathan Merlo, Haris Rauf, Tom Rogers, Peter Siddle, Mark Steketee, Marcus Stoinis, Mitch Swepson, Tom Whitney

BBL 15 to begin from December 14

The BBL season 15 will get underway with a blockbuster clash between the Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers at Optus Stadium on December 14, 2025, featuring Pakistan superstar Babar Azam.

It will run from December 14 to January 25 with 44 matches and continuous nightly games, except on December 24 and 25. 

All teams will host home matches within the first 10 days, with several marquee clashes, including derbies and Boxing Day double-headers.