Melbourne Stars have strengthened their batting resources ahead of WBBL 12 by signing experienced top-order batter Naomi Stalenberg, who joins the club for her fourth Big Bash franchise after previous stints with Sydney Thunder, Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Renegades. The 32-year-old arrives with 139 WBBL appearances and 1,623 runs behind her, offering the Stars a proven T20 campaigner as they chase a first-ever title under newly appointed captain Meg Lanning.
Stalenberg has been part of the Women’s Big Bash League since its inaugural season in 2015, and her move across Melbourne from the Renegades adds both familiarity and depth to a Stars squad preparing for the 12th edition, which runs from October 29 to December 5, 2026. She becomes the franchise’s 14th contracted player, with one more signing still to be confirmed.
Melbourne Stars’ General Manager James Rosengarten highlighted the value of adding a player with Stalenberg’s longevity and big-match exposure. “It’s not easy to find players with the level of experience that Naomi has, so we’re really excited to bring her into our program,” he said.
Rosengarten also pointed to the batting qualities that made her an attractive signing. “Naomi is a really clean striker of the ball, which is always valuable in T20 cricket. We have seen what she can do on the field and know she will be a great support for our younger players as well.”
Stalenberg has wasted little time settling into her new surroundings. She featured in the Stars’ T20 Spring Challenge last week, scoring 34 against the Meteors and an unbeaten 24 against the Sixers, providing an early glimpse of the composure and striking ability she is expected to bring to the middle order.
Across 139 Big Bash matches for three teams, Stalenberg has accumulated 1,623 runs at a strike rate of 105.66. Her ability to accelerate without abandoning timing could prove particularly useful for a Stars side that finished fourth in WBBL 11 with 11 points from 10 games, recording five wins, four losses and one washed-out fixture.
The signing also carries a compelling narrative. Stalenberg moves from Melbourne Renegades, the Stars’ cross-town rivals, to a franchise still searching for its maiden WBBL crown. The Stars are the only original team yet to win the title, with their best result coming in WBBL 06 in 2020, when they finished runners-up.
For Stalenberg, the opportunity represents another chapter in a career that has spanned the competition’s entire history. A powerful batter capable of shifting momentum quickly, she also earned international recognition with a single T20 International appearance for Australia in 2016. Her arrival gives Lanning another experienced voice in a squad that blends established internationals with emerging talent. The contracted group includes Sophie Day, Charlie Dean, Kim Garth, Dani Gibson, Maisy Gibson, Amy Jones, Meg Lanning (captain), Carly Leeson, Rhys McKenna, Indigo Noble, Georgia Prestwidge, Zoe Samuel, Naomi Stalenberg and Annabel Sutherland.
The Melbourne Stars will open WBBL 12 against defending champions Hobart Hurricanes in the tournament’s second match at Junction Oval, Melbourne, on October 29, 2026, starting at 1:40 PM IST. With Lanning leading the side and Stalenberg adding experience to the batting group, Melbourne will hope this is the season their long wait for a WBBL title finally ends.
(Quotes sourced from Melbourne Stars Official Press Release).
I am Yash Tailor, and I believe work should be driven by passion. Therefore, after completing my Engineering, I chose to work in the Cricket industry, my passion. My goal is to reach a stage where I truly enjoy what I do and give my best to every task with energy and purpose.