The 2017–18 Melbourne Stars Women's season was the third in the team's history. Coached by David Hemp and captained by Kristen Beams, the Stars finished WBBL03 in seventh place.
Squad Each WBBL|03 squad featured 15 active players, with an allowance of up to five marquee signings including a maximum of three from overseas. Australian marquees were defined as players who made at least ten limited-overs appearances for the national team in the three years prior to the cut-off date (24 April 2017).
Personnel changes made ahead of the season included: Meg Lanning departed the Stars, signing with the Perth Scorchers. Kristen Beams was appointed captain of the team following Lanning's departure. English marquee Nat Sciver departed the Stars, also signing with the Perth Scorchers. New Zealand marquee Morna Nielsen and English marquee Danielle Hazell did not re-sign with the Stars. Erin Osborne signed with the Stars, departing the Sydney Thunder. Jess Duffin, Hayley Jensen and Emma Inglis departed the Stars, all signing with the Melbourne Renegades. Annabel Sutherland signed with the Stars, departing the Melbourne Renegades.
Changes made during the season included: Erin Osborne stood in as acting captain for two matches. New Zealand marquee Katey Martin signed with the Stars as a replacement player.
The table below lists the Stars players and their key stats (including runs scored, batting strike rate, wickets taken, economy rate, catches and stumpings) for the season. NameBirth dateBatting styleBowling styleNotesBatters15 Makinley Blows 12 December 1997 Right-handed Right-arm medium1419146.1546.581–00 Mignon du Preez 13 June 1989 Right-handed –12269112.0806.005– Overseas marquee9 Anna Lanning 25 March 1994 Right-handed Right-arm medium1417483.25––2–2 Katie Mack 14 September 1993 Right-handed Right-arm leg spin 14291105.43––3–21Katey Martin7 February 1985Right-handed–21780.95––2–Overseas marquee (replacement)All-rounders 34 Georgia Elwiss 31 May 1991 Right-handed Right-arm medium1018493.4077.570– Overseas marquee13 Alana King 22 November 1995 Right-handed Right-arm leg spin1411299.11137.502– 76 Erin Osborne 27 June 1989 Right-handed Right arm off spin1421192.54156.338–Australian marqueeWicket-keepers 4 Nicole Faltum 17 January 2000 Right-handed –900.00––06 67 Lizelle Lee 2 April 1992 Right-handed Right-arm medium12349111.14––40 Overseas marqueeBowlers27 Hayleigh Brennan 5 March 1999 Right-handed Right-arm medium 1150.00018.000–26 Kristen Beams 6 November 1984 Right-handed Right-arm leg spin122100.0045.734– Captain, Australian marquee22 Emma Kearney 24 September 1989 Right-handed Right-arm medium1020105.2648.530–7 Chloe Rafferty 16 June 1999 Right-handed Right-arm medium fast2––––0– 3 Annabel Sutherland 12 October 2001 Right-handed Right-arm medium fast722104.7695.483–8 Gemma Triscari 24 January 1990 Left-handed Left-arm fast medium700.00310.541– Khadija Tul Kubra 30 January 1995 Right-handed Right arm off spin––––––– Associate Rookie
Ladder
Fixtures
All times are local
The Adelaide Strikers recorded the first-ever one-wicket victory in WBBL history, defeating the Melbourne Stars on the last ball of the match. Requiring three runs with one delivery remaining, Tabatha Saville scored a boundary off Stars captain Kristen Beams to clinch a narrow win for the Strikers.
Statistics and awards Most runs: Lizelle Lee – 349 (10th in the league) Highest score in an innings: Lizelle Lee – 76 (62) vs Perth Scorchers, 26 December 2017 Most wickets: Erin Osborne – 15 (equal 10th in the league) Best bowling figures in an innings: Annabel Sutherland – 4/20 (4 overs) vs Adelaide Strikers, 9 January 2018 Erin Osborne – 4/20 (4 overs) vs Brisbane Heat, 13 January 2018 Most catches (fielder): Erin Osborne – 8 (equal 8th in the league) Player of the Match awards: Georgia Elwiss, Alana King, Katie Mack, Erin Osborne – 1 each Stars Player of the Season: Erin Osborne WBBL|03 Young Gun Award: Annabel Sutherland (nominated)
References