Melbourne Stars set to appoint a new WBBL head coach

Melbourne Stars are set to appoint a new WBBL (Women’s Big Bash League) head coach ahead of the 2026-27 season, with incumbent Andy Christie returning to an assistant role with the club, as Cricket Victoria looks at a wider revamping.

Christie, who signed as Stars’ coach last year, replacing Jonathan Batty, will remain as head coach of Victoria in the WNCL (Women’s National Cricket League), where they would like to slay the demons from a horrific campaign last year that saw them losing all 12 matches.

The move initially came through job adverts online for the WBBL head coach position with Stars subsequently confirming the new structure.

“With the realignment at Cricket Victoria, the Stars will recruit a head coach to be solely focused on the WBBL, with Andy working closely alongside them to tie the state and WBBL programs together,” the club said in a statement.

Christie took the Stars to the Knockout final in last year’s tournament, where Annabel Sutherland’s side was beaten by eventual finalists Perth Scorchers by 28 runs on December 9.

Cricket Victoria has merged the operations of Melbourne Stars and Renegades and will only run one team from now on. They plan to sell their second license when BBL privatisation is approved, although it is expected to take a bit of time.

WBBL 2026, the 12th edition of the tournament, is set to commence from October 29 and will conclude on December 5. 43 matches will be played across 38 days. The tournament will kick-start at the Junction Oval with a double-header. The venue will host its first-ever women’s T20 match under lights.

The Hobart Hurricanes will be heading into the new season as defending champions. Elyse Villani and Co. defeated the Perth Scorchers by eight wickets in the summit clash last year on December 13 at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. The Hurricanes chased down a 138-run target in just 15 overs.