‘A proven performer’: Melbourne Stars bring in Joe Clarke with top draft pick to miss the start of the BBL

The Stars will be without their top draft pick for the start of the BBL, but it’s not all bad news with a run-scoring machine signing on for the first couple of games.

The Melbourne Stars will be without number one draft pick Ben Duckett for their first two matches of the upcoming BBL season, but they’ve wasted no time in finding a gun replacement with Joe Clarke signing on as cover.

Clarke has spent four seasons in the BBL, including two with the Stars where he smashed 800 runs including an unbeaten 101 a couple of years ago.

The Englishman will be available for the first two games of the tournament against the Scorchers and the Heat, but it’s understood that Duckett will be available for the Stars’ third game against the Strikers on December 20.

The aggressive opener is unavailable for the first two games of the season due to his commitments with the England Test team, with the third match against New Zealand set to finish on December 18.

So this is cool. Welcome back, Geezer. pic.twitter.com/hnpz7oY9ho

— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) November 17, 2024

His arrival in Australia is a huge boost for BBL organisers after last year’s number one pick, Liam Livingstone, withdrew from the tournament due to an increased international workload.

Duckett is regarded as one of the most destructive players in the world, with the former Heat player smashing a Test century against Pakistan last month just weeks after he creamed 107 off 91 in an ODI against Australia.

He’ll provide some serious firepower for the Stars when he arrives, but they won’t lose much with Clarke coming in.

“We know Joe is a proven performer in the Big Bash and we can’t wait to have him back in green,” Melbourne Stars general manager Blair Crouch said.

“Joe’s a great person for the group, he knows the playing group well and we all saw his ability with the bat to open the season at the MCG in BBL|12 where he scored a century so we’re looking forward to seeing him back at the MCG.”

Originally published as ‘A proven performer’: Melbourne Stars bring in Joe Clarke with top draft pick to miss the start of the BBL