Melbourne Stars — Squad, Results & BBL 2026-27

Melbourne Stars in BBL|16

The Stars finished fourth last season with 12 points and six wins, their best return in years, before losing the Knockout to Hobart Hurricanes. It was progress — but the wait for a first title now stretches into a 16th season, and the club has responded with the most eye-catching signing of the window: Finn Allen, who opened the batting for Perth in last season's final and made 36, now wears green.

Allen joins Glenn Maxwell and captain Marcus Stoinis in a batting group that, on paper, can match anyone. The Overton twins, Jamie and Craig, signed from England, add all-round depth, Todd Murphy strengthens the spin, and Peter Siddle brings the experience of a bowler who has seen every situation the BBL can produce.

Cameron White coaches the side. The Stars play four home matches at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and one at Junction Oval, against Brisbane Heat on 21 December, and finish the league stage in the Melbourne derby — away to the Renegades at the MCG on Saturday 16 January.

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Melbourne Stars squad — announced players so far

The full BBL|16 squad has not been announced, so there is no final squad list to publish. The players below are the announced contracted players — the names confirmed so far, not the finished squad. The list will be updated as the club confirms more signings.

Announced contracted players as of 31 October 2026. The list is not the final squad — clubs can carry up to 18 players and are still adding names. Captain: Marcus Stoinis. Head coach: Cameron White.

Melbourne Stars fixtures — all ten league matches

First match: Match 5, Friday 18 December 2026, 1:45 PM IST (1:15 PM PKT), against Adelaide Strikers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Ten league matches, five at home and five away, from December to 17 January. Times are in India Standard Time (IST); Pakistan time is 30 minutes behind IST.

Fixtures verified against the full BBL|16 schedule announced by Cricket Australia on 14 July 2026. Finals venues and times are TBC and depend on the standings.

What qualification needs

Eight teams play ten league matches each. A win is worth 2 points and a no result is worth 1 point. The top four qualify for the finals, and net run rate decides places when teams are level on points.

Last season is the guide to the cut. Perth Scorchers topped the table with 14 points from seven wins, Sydney Sixers and Hobart Hurricanes took the next two places with 13, and Melbourne Stars took the last finals place with 12 points from six wins. Six wins, in other words, is the realistic minimum — and seven wins all but guarantees a top-two place and a Qualifier, with its second chance at the final.

The finals are: the Qualifier on Tuesday 19 January (1st vs 2nd, winner straight to the final), the Knockout on Wednesday 20 January (3rd vs 4th), the Challenger on Saturday 23 January (Qualifier loser vs Knockout winner) and the final on Tuesday 26 January 2027, Australia Day, with a reserve day available. Finals venues and start times are TBC.

What to watch

Three things decide whether this is finally the Stars' year.

Finn Allen's move. Allen was opening the batting in a BBL final ten months ago — for Perth. If he gives the Stars the fast starts he gave the Scorchers, the whole batting order changes shape.

Maxwell and Stoinis together. The Stars' two senior all-rounders are match-winners on their own. The side's problem has been getting both firing in the same match — and in the matches that matter, the finals.

The derby finish. The Stars end the league stage in the Melbourne derby at the MCG on 16 January. If a finals place is on the line, there is no bigger stage to earn it on.