Marcus Stoinis made a duck in the IPL final but was still handed a big Big Bash deal

Marcus Stoinis was out for a duck in the IPL final but was still handed a big Big Bash deal.

Marcus Stoinis will be a Melbourne Stars player for life after signing a contract extension. Picture: AAP Image/Scott Barbour

A brilliant Indian Premier League finished with a duck for Marcus Stoinis, but the blow was softened with a contract extension that will see him be a Melbourne Stars player for life.

Stoinis, last year’s BBL player of the season, finished as the third-leading run scorer for the Delhi Capitals but didn’t add to his tournament tally after being caught behind on the first ball of the IPL final.

But the big-hitting opener, who plundered a mammoth 705 runs last BBL season, including an epic 147 not out off 79 balls, has tied himself to the Stars until the end of the 2023-24 season.

The extension means the 31-year-old will be part of the Stars for a decade after originally joining the club ahead of the 2013-14 season.

“It was a pretty easy decision for me to extend my time with the Melbourne Stars. I’m excited about what we can achieve in the future and I’m grateful for the belief the club has shown in me. This team is an important part of my life each year,” Stoinis said.

“We’re a really close group and we’re lucky to have some of the best members and fans in the league. While this season will a bit different to normal, I‘m hopeful that we’ll get a chance to play in front of our fans on home turf at the MCG and make it a special summer.”

Plenty to look forward to with Stoin in green 💚

He extends his contract a further two years until the end of the 2023-24 season. #TeamGreen

— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) November 10, 2020

Stoinis is the all-time top run scorer for the Stars and looks set to open the batting with English powerhouse Jonny Bairstow this season. Bairstow will join the Stars after Christmas, giving the green team a significant one-two punch at the top of the order

The Stars have also signed run-machine Will Pucovski, but his availability could change given his likely inclusion in the Australian Test team to play India.

Stars general manager Nick Cummins said the Stoinis deal was a crucial step forward for the club’s list.

“Marcus is a proven matchwinner who can take a game away from an opposition in a couple of overs. More than that, he’s a very popular player with our members and fans, and we look forward continuing to share that success with him over the seasons ahead,” Cummins said.

The Stars are yet to complete their roster for this season with more international signings to be confirmed.