The Melbourne Stars have signed the Tasmanian duo of Sasha Moloney, who will play her third consecutive season with the Stars, and her former teammate Maisy Gibson ahead of WBBL|10, adding depth to their bowling squad.
Sasha Moloney, who will represent the Victorian side in the WNCL, has been signed for the third consecutive year by the Melbourne Stars. Since the inaugural edition of the WBBL, Moloney represented the Hobart Hurricanes for seven consecutive seasons. She captained the Hobart Hurricanes in the 2018-19 season before moving to the Melbourne Stars for the 2022/23 season, where she has been for two seasons. Moloney has taken 22 wickets in the last two seasons with the Melbourne Stars and has also provided valuable runs lower down the order. Moloney played alongside Gibson in Tasmania’s WNCL three-peat before taking up a state contract with Victoria earlier this year.
Maisy Gibson continues to be part of Tasmania in the WNCL, where she has been instrumental in the state’s three-peat and will join the Melbourne Stars, having previously represented the Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Thunder. The Tasmanian leg spinner was part of the Hurricanes for the last five seasons but will now join the Melbourne Stars in the upcoming edition of the WBBL.
“To get the chance to play at the MCG this summer is going to be an amazing experience in such a big year for the league, this being the tenth edition,” said Gibson ahead of the WBBL|10 season.
Gibson has taken over 70 wickets in 74 games and will be a key asset for the Melbourne Stars, strengthening the bowling department alongside Sasha Moloney.
“Maisy has been consistent performer for a long time now after overcoming her battles with injury, while Sasha has been a wonderful member of the team, immediately adding her leadership and guidance to the squad, as well as her outstanding bowling and fielding,” said Melbourne Stars General Manager Blair Crouch.
In the WBBL Overseas Draft, the Melbourne Stars signed Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma in the first round, with Marizanne Kapp being their pre-signed player. Indian batter Yastika Bhatia was their second signing, joining the team in the third round.
The Melbourne Stars will face the Perth Scorchers in their opening game of the upcoming WBBL season at the WACA Ground on Sunday, October 27.
Current Melbourne Stars Squad for Weber WBBL|10 (so far):
Meg Lanning, Yastika Bhatia, Sophie Day, Kim Garth, Marizanne Kapp, Sophie Reid, Deepti Sharma, Annabel Sutherland, Sasha Moloney, Maisy Gibson
