with thanks to Honeyball
Melbourne Stars
Ins: Tom Curran (Sydney Sixers), Ben Duckett, Hamish McKenzie (Perth Scorchers), Doug Warren
Outs: Dan Lawrence, Haris Rauf, Imad Wasim, Nick Larkin (retired), Nathan Coulter-Nile (retired), Liam Dawson, Ollie Stone
Unsigned from BBL|13: Joe Burns, Corey Rocchiccioli, Jono Merlo, Peter Handscomb
Draft Insights
Draft picks: Ben Duckett, Tom Curran, Usama Mir
Stars T20 high performance manager Clint McKay said: “Duckett is a classy left-hand batter who plays spin really well. We know that spin has been our issue through the middle quite a bit.
“Tom Curran as a pre-signing covers a lot of roles which is great. Usama Mir, he’s got a strike rate bowling at 18, so he’s a massive wicket-taker which again has been our biggest concern over the last couple of years.”
McKay also noted full availability for all three players which was a big part of their decision making.
Squad (16 of 18 signed):
Batsmen: Ben Duckett, Hilton Cartwright, Campbell Kellaway, Tom Rogers
Wicketkeepers: Sam Harper
All-rounders: Tom Curran, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Beau Webster
Bowlers: Scott Boland, Joel Paris, Mark Steketee, Usama Mir, Hamish McKenzie, Doug Warren, Brody Couch
Best XI
1 B.Duckett
2 T.Rogers
3 B.Webster
4 G.Maxwell (c)
5 M.Stoinis
6 H.Cartwright
7 S.Harper (wk)
8 T.Curran
9 Usama Mir
10 J.Paris
11 M.Steketee
Import Duckett has opened over the past two seasons in the Hundred for Birmingham Phoenix and that seems his obvious role in this Stars’ line-up alongside Tom Rogers.
Last season, the Stars had some success with Beau Webster at 3, followed by Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Hilton Cartwright but all can play multiple roles.
Duckett can also take the gloves which could force Sam Harper out of their side, having struggled in BBL|13 before injury, allowing them to play an extra bowler. Given Webster, Maxwell and Stoinis can all bowl, we’re going with Harper in the side though but we’re not sold on that.
Tom Curran’s addition as a genuine all-rounder who can bowl 4 and bat anywhere from 6-8 depending on the situation is a major boost. Despite that, the attack still seems a little weak. Spinner Hamish McKenzie could be a smokie at the MCG.