Melbourne Stars sign Marcus Stoinis on long-term Big Bash deal

THE Melbourne Stars are yet to secure their two international signings for the upcoming Big Bash season, but big-hitting stalwart Marcus Stoinis has inked a long-term deal.

Marcus Stoinis has recommitted to the Melbourne Stars on a long-term deal. Picture: Getty Images

THE Melbourne Stars are yet to lock down their two international signings for the upcoming Big Bash season but have secured stalwart Marcus Stoinis to bolster the batting stocks.

Stoinis, now a key part of the Australian one-day squad, has signed a four-year deal with the Stars after shunning interest from several other teams.

The Brisbane Heat tabled a lucrative offer, then took it off the table, while the Perth Scorchers were also believed to be chasing Stoinis, who has moved back to his native Western Australia.

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Marcus Stoinis has recommitted to the Melbourne Stars on a long-term deal. Picture: Getty Images

But the big-hitting 29-year-old, who smashed an unbeaten 93 off just 49 balls in a one-day match for WA on Monday, said he had “unfinished business” with the Stars who are yet to land a BBL title and last season collected the wooden spoon.

“We’re a young group, we’re a close group, we’re all different in our own right but I think we’re really close to something special,” Stoinis said.

The Stars have added batsman Nic Maddinson for this season but are yet to find replacements for internationals Kevin Pietersen and Luke Wright.

West Indian Dwayne Bravo and English leg-spinner Adil Rashid have been linked to the team, but a lucrative new T20 competition being staged in the United Arab Emirate in January could impact the Stars ability to land the pair.

Rashid’s recent return to the English Test team could also play a part with a Caribbean tour scheduled for early in 2019.

Originally published as Melbourne Stars sign Marcus Stoinis on long-term Big Bash deal