The 2021–22 Melbourne Stars Women's season was the seventh in the team's history. Coached by Jarrad Loughman and captained by Meg Lanning, the Stars were not scheduled to play any WBBL07 games in their home state of Victoria due to ongoing border restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. They finished the regular season in fifth place on the ladder, failing to qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament.
Squad Each 2021–22 squad was made up of 15 active players. Teams could sign up to five 'marquee players', with a maximum of three of those from overseas. Marquees were classed as any overseas player, or a local player who holds a Cricket Australia national contract at the start of the WBBL|07 signing period.
Personnel changes made ahead of the season included:
English marquees Katherine Brunt and Nat Sciver did not re-sign with the Stars in anticipation of a clashing schedule with national team duties. South African marquee Mignon du Preez departed the Stars, signing with the Hobart Hurricanes. Irish marquee Kim Garth signed with the Stars, having previously played in the league for the Sydney Sixers and Perth Scorchers. English marquees Maia Bouchier and Linsey Smith signed with the Stars, marking their first appearances in the league. Holly Ferling departed the Stars, signing with the Melbourne Renegades. Alana King departed the Stars, signing with the Perth Scorchers. Maddy Darke signed with the Stars, departing the Sydney Sixers. Jarrad Loughman was appointed head coach, replacing Trent Woodhill.
The table below lists the Stars players and their key stats (including runs scored, batting strike rate, wickets taken, economy rate, catches and stumpings) for the season. NameBirth dateBatting styleBowling styleNotesBatters14Maia Bouchier5 December 1998Right-handedRight-arm medium1218595.36––3–Overseas marquee9Anna Lanning25 March 1994Right-handedRight-arm medium5330.0006.001–7Meg Lanning25 March 1992Right-handedRight-arm medium12250104.16––3–Captain, Australian marquee2Elyse Villani6 October 1989Right-handedRight-arm medium12439122.28––2–All-rounders24Lucy Cripps6 December 2001Right-handedRight-arm medium1––012.500–16Georgia Gall30 July 2004Left-handedLeft-arm medium fast–––––––34Kim Garth25 April 1996Right-handedRight-arm medium fast12164106.49156.245–Overseas marquee11Rhys McKenna17 August 2004Right-handedLeft-arm medium fast810100.0037.831–76Erin Osborne27 June 1989Right-handedRight-arm off spin94563.3836.821–3Annabel Sutherland12 October 2001Right-handedRight-arm medium fast1214382.65146.424–Australian marqueeWicket-keepers17Maddy Darke30 March 2001Right-handedRight-arm off spin47116.66––1–4Nicole Faltum17 January 2000Right-handed–121762.96––32Bowlers6Sophie Day2 September 1998Left-handedLeft-arm orthodox spin101493.3347.552–25Tess Flintoff31 March 2003Right-handedRight-arm medium fast124393.4797.022–50Linsey Smith10 March 1995Left-handedLeft-arm orthodox spin111878.2665.805–Overseas marquee
Ladder
Fixtures
All times are local
Statistics and awards
Most runs: Elyse Villani – 439 (4th in the league) Highest score in an innings: Elyse Villani – 100* (65) vs Adelaide Strikers, 21 November Most wickets: Kim Garth – 15 (equal 9th in the league) Best bowling figures in an innings: Kim Garth – 3/11 (4 overs) vs Sydney Thunder, 26 October Most catches (fielder): Kim Garth, Linsey Smith – 5 each (equal 16th in the league) Player of the Match awards: Tess Flintoff, Kim Garth, Meg Lanning, Annabel Sutherland, Elyse Villani – 1 each Stars Player of the Season: Kim Garth
References