Marcus Stoinis replaces Glenn Maxwell as Melbourne Stars captain

The Melbourne Stars’ new captain is promising “overdue success” as they enter the season looking to bring a four-year finals drought to an end.

New Melbourne Stars captain Marcus Stoinis says he wants to bring “overdue success” to the franchise as they look to snap a four-year finals drought this season.

Stoinis has been handed the reins in his 11th tournament with the Stars after Glenn Maxwell stepped down as captain following a frustrating end to the 2023-24 season.

The World Cup-winning all-rounder led the Stars in a game last season when Maxwell missed through injury and said the experience left him keen to take up the post full time.

“I had a little bit of a taste of captaining the side in Maxi’s absence last year and loved the opportunity, so to be given the role full time is a great honour,” Stoinis said. “The Stars have been such a constant in my life every summer for the last 10 years, and I truly believe with the group we have assembled this season, both on and off the field, we can bring some long overdue success to the club.”

Veteran all-rounder Marcus Stoinis (right) has been named as Glenn Maxwell’s replacement to lead the Melbourne Stars in BBL 14. Picture: Steve Bell / Getty Images

In their first nine BBL seasons, the Stars made the top four eight times but lost five semi-finals and three finals, including a horror loss to the Melbourne Renegades from a strong position chasing 145 in 2018-19.

Stoinis, 35, has been a mainstay of the side since the third edition of the tournament after three games for the Perth Scorchers the previous season.

Stars general manager Blair Crouch thanked Maxwell for his five seasons as captain and said Stoinis was the right fit.

“I want to acknowledge and thank Glenn Maxwell for all his efforts in leading the side over the past five seasons and he will continue to be a wonderful resource for everyone at the club,” Crouch said.

“Marcus demonstrated his leadership ability last year and has been a part of our leadership for a long time.”

“It’s wonderful to have someone who has been at the Stars almost from our inception lead our club in BBL 14.”