Marcus Stoinis says Glenn Maxwell has become a strong leader for Melbourne Stars

Melbourne Stars are a better side with Glenn Maxwell but it’s not just his batting ability that has propelled the green team to second favourite for the Big Bash title, according to teammates Marcus Stoinis.

Glenn Maxwell a wicket against the Heat on Sunday night. Picture: Getty Images

Glenn Maxwell has been lauded as a brilliant emerging leader with the maturing allrounder captaining the Melbourne Stars to six consecutive wins.

Maxwell’s Stars have jumped to third on the Big Bash League ladder and they are suddenly a second favourite, behind Hobart Hurricanes, to win their first ever championship.

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Teammate Marcus Stoinis, who is rivalling Hobart blaster D’Arcy Short as the player of the tournament, credited a healthy dose of the club’s resurgence to Maxwell’s leadership.

“Maxi’s leading the team really well,” Stoinis said.

“I’ve been with him at Victoria obviously, but then also during in the IPL when he captained one of the IPL teams (Kings XI Punjab in 2017), and now captaining the Stars.

“His leadership gets better every single time, and I couldn’t be speaking higher of him at the moment.”

Maxwell has led the green team to a trio of victories either side of his three-game absence for Australian ODI duty.

The Stars face Perth Scorchers (Perth Stadium), Brisbane Heat (Gabba) and Sydney Sixers (MCG) in the run home.

Glenn Maxwell has led the Stars to six straight wins. Picture: AAP

A pair of wins is expected to seal a semi-final berth while they could also sneak in with one more win.

“(He’s a) calming influence, he’s given a lot to the young kids and to the young bowlers that have come in,” Stoinis said.

“Jacko Coleman earlier in the year started really well for us and a lot of that was under Maxi’s mentorship.

“He’s been really good. Even last game he sent Petey Handscomb in at the end in Moe to finish off the innings instead of sending himself in.

“Look, Petey Handscomb’s a legend as well but Maxi’s the best in the world at the end.

“He’s thinking about the team and he’s really matured.”

Maxwell’s run of six consecutive wins as skipper is the second-most in club history, behind Cameron White (seven) in BBL03.

Marcus Stonis has praised Stars teammate Glenn Maxwell’s leadership qualities. Picture: Getty Images

Maxwell credited, White along with George Bailey and Michael Clarke, as leaders who moulded his style on the eve of the season.

“I think it’s really starting to click (for the Stars),” Stoinis said.

“We’ve got a really calm group and it feels like there’s no accidents. Everyone’s really measured and everyone knows their role really clearly.”

Former selector Mark Waugh pumped up Maxwell’s captaincy during Sunday night’s win against Brisbane Heat.

Maxwell used eight different bowlers in the first 10 overs with his creative thinking helping unravel Brisbane’s run chase.