Cricket Victoria confirms it has halted plans to rename the Stars with the two Melbourne clubs taking part in the upcoming WBBL and BBL seasons.
The Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades will play in the Weber WBBL | 12 and KFC BBL | 16, Cricket Victoria (CV) confirmed today.
This step comes in the wake of a meeting on Monday between heads of state or their representatives, where “Support in principle” was given for the self-determination model For private investment in Big Bash.
CV stunned cricket earlier this month by announcing the rebranding of the Stars franchise – what it called a “merger” with the Renegades – and its intention to sell 100 per cent of the Renegades license to a private investor before the upcoming 2026-27 summer. CA’s original announced schedule was the 2027-28 season for the changes to take effect, a scenario that remains in place.
“Given the extended timeline for a decision on the privatization of the BBL, we have taken the decision not to proceed with our vision of a rebranded team for next season,” the Renegades and Stars said in identical emails to club members this evening.
“We want to acknowledge the passion, loyalty and pride you have shown at this club and look forward to seeing you in action this summer.”
The playing rosters for both clubs are set to pick up where they left last summer when a signing ban was imposed following the completion of the BBL. The ban remains in place, with the eight clubs unable to sign players for next season until it is lifted by the league.
It is still unclear what the coaching structure will look like for the Stars or Renegades teams in the WBBL or BBL.
There are still significant hurdles to overcome after Monday’s meeting, with four key challenges identified before the privatization drive can progress to the next stage, not least agreeing terms with the players’ union, the Australian Cricketers Association (ACA).
The four conditions that must be resolved to move to the next stage under the self-determination model are:
- The management structure of the new Big Bash Leagues will be agreed;
- Change to the current CA management structure to account for the new operating model;
- Agreement on the mechanisms of the self-determination model will be reached with the Anti-Corruption Commission;
- An agreement between CA and each state regarding future financing and distribution agreements.
Once these key issues are resolved, the next phase will involve testing the market and securing valuations. CV is then expected to be the first state to go to market.
CV has already applied to IP Australia to register three potential names for the rebranded ‘Melbourne’ team: Rangers, Magic and Blazers.
Plans for the rebranded team were to have a new blue and white playing kit inspired by the colors of the Victoria one-day team, and to play their men’s home matches at the MCG.
Fixtures for the upcoming WBBL and BBL seasons are set to be revealed next month.
Melbourne Stars roster management
BBL|16 contracted: Austin Anlizarek (contracted until BBL|16), Hilton Cartwright (BBL|17), Sam Harper (BBL|17), Liam Hatcher (BBL|16), Campbell Kellaway (BBL|17), Glenn Maxwell (BBL|17), Tom Rogers (BBL|16), Peter Siddle (BBL|16), Marcus Stoinis (BBL|16), Mitch Swepson (BBL|17)
Not contracted: Scott Bolland, Joe Clarke (England), Tom Curran (England), Sam Hein (England), Blake MacDonald, Hamish McKenzie, John Merlo, Haris Rauf (Pakistan), Aryan Sharma, Mark Steketee, Tom Whitney.
Contracted with WBBL|12: Sophie Day, Kim Garth, Marizanne Cape (South Africa), Meg Lanning, Rhys McKenna, Indigo Noble, Annabelle Sutherland
Outside the contract: Maisie Gibson, Ella Hayward, Sasha Moloney, Ines McKeown, Georgia Prestwidge, Sophie Reid
Melbourne Renegades roster management
BBL|16 contracted: Jason Behrendorff (contracted until BBL|17), Josh Brown (BBL|17), Harry Dixon (BBL|16), Brendan Doggett (BBL|16), Jake Fraser-McGurk (BBL|17), Caleb Jewell (BBL|16), Ollie Beck (BBL|17), Tom Rogers (BBL|16), Will Sutherland (BBL|17).
Not contracted: Michael Archer, Sam Elliott, Hassan Khan (Pakistan), Muhammad Rizwan (Pakistan), Nathan Lyon, Will Salzman, Gurinder Sandhu, Tim Seifert (New Zealand), Matthew Spurs, Callum Stow, Adam Zampa.
retired: Andrew Tai. outside: Fergus O’Neill (Sydney Sixers)
Contracted with WBBL|12: Nicole Faltom, Tess Flintoff, Millie Illingworth, Sophie Molyneux, Georgia Wareham, Courtney Webb
Outside the contract: Charisse Baker, Sarah Kuyty, Emma de Bruges, Sarah Kennedy, Naomi Stahlberg, Tayla Vlaeminck
After Monday’s meeting, Cricket Australia president Mike Bird said in a statement: “The states have agreed to return to their boards to discuss these proposals and address any questions that may arise from their members on four key topics relating to the governance of the Big Bash Leagues. “The states have agreed to return to their boards to discuss these proposals and address any questions that may arise from their members on four key topics relating to the governance of the Big Bash Leagues, CA, player support and state distributions,” Cricket Australia president Mike Bird said in a statement.
“We are confident this will result in the best possible outcome for everyone including grassroots participants, volunteers and professional players and will provide certainty for the future of cricket in Australia.”
South Australian Cricket Association president Will Rayner said today’s talks were “constructive…about the best way forward on behalf of everyone involved in Australian cricket”.
He added: “Although there is much to work on, we have made good progress and will now discuss the mechanisms of the self-determination model, conditional on the fulfillment of several conditions, with our relevant councils.”
“It was a productive session that enables us to continue to develop our (Big Bash) leagues, while ensuring that the appropriate checks and balances are in place to ensure the long-term sustainability and sovereignty of our game.”
