Melbourne Stars have confirmed a major leadership change ahead of the 12th edition of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), with Annabel Sutherland stepping down as captain after two seasons in charge. The franchise will enter the upcoming campaign with a familiar face returning to the leadership role as it looks to build on last season’s progress and challenge for the title.
An Australian cricket legend will take over the captaincy, marking her return to a position she previously held for five seasons. She had stepped away from the role before WBBL|10, allowing Sutherland to take charge. The latter has now decided to relinquish her leadership responsibilities as the Stars prepare for the new season, which begins on October 28.
Annabel Sutherland steps down after two seasons
Sutherland’s decision to step aside comes after two seasons leading the Melbourne Stars. Under her captaincy, the team reached the knockouts last season, giving the franchise a platform to build on heading into WBBL|12. The all-rounder has enjoyed an impressive run across international and domestic cricket in recent months. She scored a Test century early in January before playing a key role in Australia’s T20 World Cup triumph in July.
Sutherland also continued to deliver with the bat in The Hundred, where her performances earned her the Player of the Tournament award. Her contributions across competitions have reinforced her importance to Australian cricket. With her commitments extending across different tournaments, stepping down as captain will allow Sutherland to reduce her leadership responsibilities while continuing to contribute on the field. Her decision marks a change in the Stars’ leadership structure, although her performances remain an important part of the team’s recent progress.
Veteran star returns as Melbourne Stars captain
Australian cricket legend Meg Lanning has been appointed as captain of Melbourne for the upcoming season. Lanning’s appointment brings an experienced leader back into the Melbourne Stars setup. Having captained the franchise for five seasons previously, she is familiar with the team’s environment and will look to guide them through another demanding WBBL campaign. The former Australia captain has continued to take on leadership responsibilities in franchise cricket since retiring from international cricket. She has captained in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and also led Manchester Super Giants during this year’s edition of The Hundred.
Her return to the Stars captaincy follows an impressive individual campaign last season. Lanning scored 479 runs, finishing as the competition’s leading run-scorer and playing a key role in helping Melbourne secure a place in the top four. That performance highlighted her continued value to the franchise, both as a batter and an experienced figure within the squad. The Stars will hope she can maintain that form while guiding the team through the upcoming season.
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Melbourne Stars target further progress in WBBL|12
The Stars will begin the new season looking to build on their knockout appearance from the previous campaign. Lanning’s return provides continuity in leadership, while Sutherland’s experience and recent form remain valuable assets for the franchise. Lanning’s tally of 479 runs last season offers a strong starting point as Melbourne prepare for the competition. Her ability to contribute consistently with the bat, combined with her previous captaincy experience, will be central to the team’s plans.
With WBBL|12 beginning on October 28, the Stars will aim to translate last season’s progress into a stronger challenge. The leadership change sets the stage for a new campaign in which Melbourne will look to make the most of their experienced core and push further in the tournament.
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
