The 35-year-old Marcus Stoinis is all set to become the next captain for Melbourne Stars in the forthcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season. The swashbuckling all-rounder will replace the long-standing skipper Glenn Maxwell who had resigned last season at the end of the supper. 

Stoinis has previously captained Stars in Maxwell's absence in the 2023 BBL season. In the absence of Maxwell from the 2022-23 BBL season, Stoinis emerged as the front-runner to being an interim captain but that role was later handed to Adam Zampa. 

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What does Stoinis have to say about this new role as a Stars' captain?

Stoinis is the second player after Maxwell to feature in 100 BBL games for Melbourne Stars. He has been associated with the franchise for an eternity and his association will further deepen following his three-year contract extension which confirms his availability till the 2026-27 season. 

Therefore, it comes as no surprise, that Stoinis was thrilled to hear this news. Being a devoted servant to his franchise, Stoinis expressed his joy while taking over the leadership role and looks forward to contributing to his team's success in the long run.

"I had a little bit of a taste of captaining the side in Maxi's absence last year and loved the opportunity so to be given the role full-time is a great honour. The Stars have been such a constant in my life every summer for the last 10 years and I truly believe that the group we have assembled both on and off the field can bring some long overdue success to the club."

Blair Crouch has his say on Stoinis' appointment as Stars skipper

While thanking the departing skipper Maxwell for his contributions, Melbourne Stars general manager Blair Crouch showered praise on the 35-year-old all-rounder and feels fortunate to have someone as like him as a captain who has been around for the franchise since it's inception. 

"First of all, I want to acknowledge and thank Glenn Maxwell for all his efforts in leading the side over the past five seasons and he will continue to be a wonderful resource for everyone at the club. Marcus demonstrated his leadership ability last year and has been a senior member of the side for a long time. It's wonderful to have someone who has been at the Stars almost from our inception lead our club in BBL14."

Stoinis will have some serious work to do once he takes over from Maxwell officially. The current Melbourne Starts lineup is missing some big names and is expected to lack a lot of firepower at the beginning of the season. It remains unclear as to when Maxwell will return from his hamstring injury but he will most certainly be out of action from the first match of the season at least.