Melbourne Stars re-sign Evan Gulbis and emerging youngsters Liam Bowe and Jonathan Merlo

After collecting the wooden spoon last summer, the Melbourne Stars have transformed their squad, and as a result nothing is certain when it comes to their starting XI. SEE THE SQUAD

Stars bowler Evan Gulbis celebrates a wicket. Pic: AAP

Re-signed Melbourne Stars all-rounder Evan Gulbis says almost every place in the Big Bash club’s starting 11 is up for grabs in the side that collected last summer’s wooden spoon.

Gulbis, 32, is set for greater responsibility in his fourth season at the Stars after James Faulkner’s defection to Hobart Hurricanes.

The Herald Sun can reveal the Stars have contracted Gulbis and youngsters Liam Bowe and Jonathan Merlo as they edge closer to locking in their 18-man squad.

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“I’m ecstatic, it’s a great franchise to be a part of,” Gulbis said.

“It’s only (a deal) for this summer. Ideally I’d like to play as long as I can for the Stars, because I really enjoy playing there.”

The Stars have missed out on young batting sensation Josh Phillipe, who has decided to stay at Perth Scorchers as a supplementary player.

Evan Gulbis says all Stars can play a part this summer. Pic: AAP

The Stars have farewelled captain John Hastings, Bob Quiney, English pair Kevin Pietersen and Luke Wright and Faulkner since last summer.

The shake-up follows three seasons of minimal list changes and Gulbis — who is playing premier cricket for Carlton — expects it to reinvigorate the squad.

“I think they’ve really thought about our list this year,” he said.

“When new players come into the system you get that little bit of energy and sometimes that’s what’s required.

“We had the exact same squad last year. Maybe that’s why we didn’t have that new spark that we’ll have this season.

“Someone like Ben Dunk — in his second year now — I think he’ll fire, and Nic Maddinson’s a big recruit as well.

“I’m so happy I don’t have to bowl to him.”

Peter Handscomb (right) is expected to lead the Stars. Pic: Getty Images

Victorian skipper Peter Handscomb is expected to be named the club’s fifth captain in as many seasons, albeit Michael Clarke withdrew from the Stars before playing a game.

“Pete and Maxi have a wealth of experience. Pete’s captain of a state team and then you’ve got Stoin, Dunky and Maddo behind them,” Gulbis said.

“The Australian selection dictates (the captaincy) a little bit. I don’t think you want to pick a captain that’s going to be away for half the tournament.”

The Stars have signed Nepalese legspinner, who will be replaced by Englishman Matt Parkinson when the Bangladesh Premier League commences.

Lamichhane plays with Maxwell at Delhi Daredevils and Gulbis said the unheralded imports would benefit from their mystique.

“Sometimes the unknown factor is very valuable in T20,” Gulbis said.

“If everyone knows what you’re going to execute it’s just about whether you’re better on the day, whereas if you’ve got that element of unknown sometimes you can get a couple of teams off guard.”

Gulbis welcomed baby daughter Violet into the world in August and is excited to spend Christmas with his family in Launceston.

The Stars travel to Hobart to play the Hurricanes on Christmas Eve after opening their season in Canberra against Sydney Thunder on December 21.

Seb Gotch and Marcus Stoinis are back for the Melbourne Stars. Pic: Getty Images

MELBOURNE STARS BBL08 SQUAD

BATSMEN

Travis Dean

Nic Maddinson

KEEPERS

Ben Dunk

Seb Gotch

Peter Handscomb

ALL-ROUNDERS

Evan Gulbis

Glenn Maxwell

Marcus Stoinis

Jonathan Merlo

BOWLERS

Michael Beer

Scott Boland

Liam Bowe

Jackson Coleman

Sandeep Lamichhane (Nepal)

Matt Parkinson (England)*

Dan Worrall

Adam Zampa

*Replacement player for Lamichhane

**Two slots left, including one international

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