The Melbourne Stars have bolstered their bowling attack ahead of Weber WBBL|10 by re-signing Sasha Moloney for another season and bringing in her former Tasmania teammate, Maisy Gibson, from the Hobart Hurricanes.
Gibson, who remains contracted to Tasmania in the WNCL and has contributed to the state’s impressive three consecutive championships, has signed with the Stars after spending five WBBL seasons with the Hurricanes. With 70 wickets in 74 WBBL matches, Gibson’s leg-spin is expected to strengthen the Stars' bowling lineup.
Gibson shared that the opportunity to play at the iconic MCG and team up with Moloney and last season’s leading wicket-taker Sophie Day were key factors in her decision to join the Stars. She expressed her excitement, noting that playing at the MCG during the WBBL’s milestone 10th edition would be an incredible experience. She looked forward to building a strong partnership with both Moloney and Day, highlighting the diverse skills the trio brings to the team.
Moloney, who previously played alongside Gibson during Tasmania’s WNCL dominance, joined the Stars ahead of WBBL|08 and has since taken 20 wickets, contributing crucial runs in the lower order. The two spinners will reunite at the Stars, where their finals experience could prove instrumental in the team’s push for only their second finals appearance in WBBL history.
Moloney expressed her excitement about returning to the Stars and reuniting with Gibson, stating that her experience would provide immediate value to the team as they aim for a strong performance in WBBL|10.
In addition to Moloney and Gibson, the Stars have further bolstered their squad by picking up Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma and South African star Marizanne Kapp through the International Player Draft. Both signings add significant depth to the Stars' lineup.
Local talents Meg Lanning and Annabel Sutherland will also headline the Stars' roster for WBBL|10, alongside key players like keeper-batter Sophie Reid and bowler Kim Garth. With these high-profile additions, the Stars are aiming to rebound from their disappointing WBBL|09 campaign and finally capture their first championship.
The journey to that goal will begin with their opening match against the Perth Scorchers on October 27.