Photo Credit: Melbourne Stars Media
We spoke to men’s coach David Hussey about last season’s performance and looking ahead to next season.
Q: Huss, it was your first season as Head Coach and we reached the final, but it was obviously a disappointing end, what can we take from last season?
A: Last season was a huge success without achieving the ultimate goal of winning the title. We successfully integrated some new key players who now fully comprehend to what the Stars family is all about, we also qualified first after the qualifying rounds and we won the home Preliminary Final against the Thunder to qualify for another Grand Final.
Although, we fell short in the ultimate game, if we continue to put ourselves into grand final positions, I am certain that once we win one, the Stars will win two or three and quickly.
Q: We had a few new faces in the squad last season including NCN, Hilton Cartwright, Dale Steyn and Haris Rauf, what did they bring to the group?
A: A few new faces who added to the culture and to the Stars family. Firstly, they’re quality people who always put the team before themselves and secondly, they all brought their own unique styles of cricket play that the Stars could adapt throughout the season and continue to use in future BBL seasons. Their cricket knowledge was of particular use for me and I really leant on the new recruits.
Q: Were there any specific matches or performances that stood out for you from last season?
A: All wins stick out but the win at Spotless Stadium against the Thunder after an awfully long road trip really comes to mind. The boys were tired, a little run down and we had many niggles and to see them get themselves up and chase down the Thunder’s score and on that pitch was exceptional. Stats will say that teams rarely win chasing at Spotless Stadium.
Stoin’s 147* against the Sixers, Rauf’s five wickets against the Hurricanes and his hat-trick against the Thunder, Larkin’s two Player of the Match performances against the Thunder and Gotch’s keeping throughout the tournament are all decent highlights for me.
Q: You’ve got a solid coaching team around you, how important is it to have their support?
Invaluable support. I can’t speak highly enough of all the points of reference from the skills coaches, to the physio, the team manager and the media manager. They are exceptional at their roles and make my life easy. They’re all quality people who all speak up for their beliefs as they want the best for the Stars. I couldn’t be happier with the group that is around me.
Q: How much thought has already gone towards planning for next season?
A: A lot of thought has already gone into next season. I asked for player and staff feedback of how they thought the season went and in which areas can we improve and how can we improve.
As a collective, we all are searching for improvement and want the best for this group of people and of course, we want to improve to win the competition.
Q: Finally, it’s obviously an unprecedented and difficult time at the moment. Do you have a message for the Stars family?
A: It’s an extremely difficult time for everyone. Stay calm, check in on your friends and family to see how they’re doing and most importantly, please be grateful for what we have. We are a small part in this huge picture but if we continue to do the right things, we will overcome this virus and normality will occur soon.
Name of Author: Melbourne Stars
Melbourne Stars are a Twenty20 cricket franchise based in Melbourne, Victoria, competing in Australia’s Big Bash League. The team wears a green uniform and plays its home matches at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
