The 2018–19 Melbourne Stars Women's season was the fourth in the team's history. Coached by David Hemp and captained by Kristen Beams, they finished seventh in the regular season of WBBL04 and failed to qualify for the finals.
Squad
Each 2018–19 squad featured 15 active players, with an allowance of up to five marquee signings including a maximum of three from overseas. Under a new rule, Australian marquees were classed as players who held a national women's team contract at the time of signing on for their WBBL|04 team.
Personnel changes included:
Holly Ferling joined the Stars, having spent three seasons with the Brisbane Heat where she was the first-ever player signing. After winning two championships as a member of the Sydney Sixers, Angela Reakes made a move interstate to sign with Melbourne. Nicola Hancock joined the Stars, having played previous seasons with the Hobart Hurricanes and the Melbourne Renegades. Hayleigh Brennan departed the team and subsequently signed with the Perth Scorchers. In August 2018, Emma Kearney confirmed her decision to quit cricket and instead focus on her AFL Women's career. In September 2018, Gemma Triscari announced her retirement from the WBBL. New Zealand player Katey Martin replaced England marquee Georgia Elwiss, who was unable late in the season due to national team commitments, for two matches.
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 styleNotesBatters00Mignon du Preez13 June 1989Right-handed–14266109.46––3–Overseas marquee34Georgia Elwiss31 May 1991Right-handedRight-arm medium1212996.2637.974–Overseas marquee2Katie Mack14 September 1993Right-handedRight-arm leg spin119079.64––3–21Katey Martin7 February 1985Right-handed–21754.83––0–Overseas marquee (replacement)8Angela Reakes27 December 1990Right-handedRight-arm leg spin14221100.45018.003–All-rounders15Makinley Blows12 December 1997Left-handedRight-arm medium3480.00014.660–14Elly Donald17 September 1997Right-handedRight-arm medium–––––––76Erin Osborne27 June 1989Right-handedRight-arm off spin14249103.3196.393–3Annabel Sutherland12 October 2001Right-handedRight-arm medium fast1412393.8976.804–Wicket-keepers4Nicole Faltum17 January 2000Right-handed–81487.50––4367Lizelle Lee2 April 1992Right-handedRight-arm medium14276136.63––40Overseas marqueeBowlers26Kristen Beams6 November 1984Right-handedRight-arm leg spin6266.6667.092–Captain, Australian marquee9Holly Ferling22 December 1995Right-handedRight-arm medium fast1420125.00117.901–44Nicola Hancock8 November 1995Right-handedRight-arm medium fast143790.24138.093–13Alana King22 November 1995Right-handedRight-arm leg spin147888.63156.748–7Chloe Rafferty16 June 1999Right-handedRight-arm medium fast–––––––
Ladder
Fixtures
All times are local time
The Melbourne Renegades recorded the second one-wicket victory in the league's history when Lea Tahuhu, a fast bowler not known for her batting ability, hit the winning single off leg-spinning Stars captain Kristen Beams with just one ball to spare. Courtney Webb, on 21 not out, was the set batter at the non-striker's end.
Statistics and awards
Most runs: Lizelle Lee – 276 (equal 19th in the league) Highest score in an innings: Lizelle Lee – 102* (56) vs Sydney Sixers, 1 December 2018 Most wickets: Alana King – 15 (equal 10th in the league) Best bowling figures in an innings: Nicola Hancock – 4/22 (4 overs) vs Sydney Sixers, 1 December 2018 Most catches (fielder): Alana King – 8 (equal 5th in the league) Player of the Match awards: Erin Osborne – 2 Alana King, Lizelle Lee, Katie Mack – 1 each Stars Player of the Season: Alana King
References