Big Bash: Melbourne Stars will look to get big names back after record opening loss

After a record loss to open the Big Bash season, the Melbourne Stars are hoping for an influx of star power.

Glenn Maxwell says the Stars will learn from the record defeat. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Melbourne Stars skipper Glenn Maxwell is confident Marcus Stoinis will return for his side’s next game against the Thunder on Friday as the men in green look to bounce back from their disastrous season-opening loss to the Sixers.

The Stars were bowled out for just 61 as they suffered a 152-run loss at the SCG, the heaviest defeat in BBL history.

Only two batters reached double figures and two wickets fell in the first over of their shocking run chase.

Stoinis’ return could add some much-needed starch at the top of the order, and Stars fans will be sweating on his fitness as he looks to overcome a side strain that has hampered him since the Indian Premier League.

“He played the practice game and actually hit the ball pretty well but just thought he wasn’t quite ready to go for a Big Bash game,” Maxwell said.

The big-hitting all-rounder is just one of a host of players the Stars were missing on Sunday night, but they should get some troops back in the coming weeks.

Glenn Maxwell is bowled by Sean Abbott during the BBL opener. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Nathan Coulter-Nile and Joe Burns could come into the side for Friday’s game, while Melbourne is also reportedly set to sign West Indian veteran Andre Russell.

“We’ve had a lot of injuries and a lot of guys who are yet to turn up from flights,” Maxwell said.

“It’s been a hard start with ‘Stoin’ getting injured recently, so it’s probably put us behind where we would have liked to have been for round 1, but you can’t win the tournament from round 1.

“We’re glad that it’s done now and we can probably just put it behind us and move onto round 2.

“It wasn’t a great night.

“It was a tough initiation for these young guys, but it was a great learning curve for them and they’ll only be better for the experience.”

Originally published as Big Bash: Melbourne Stars will look to get big names back after record opening loss