26 Oct 2016

Big Bashers head to Wellington

3:59 pm on 26 October 2016

Some Big Bashers are coming to Wellington.

Wellington will host Melbourne Stars Twenty20 cricket side in a pre-season match in December, with a double-header T20 games featuring the Wellington Firebirds and Wellington Blaze playing against the Melbourne Stars men's and women's teams.

David Hussey

David Hussey Photo: Photosport

It will be the first time that both men's and women's teams from the hugely successful Big Bash competition have played in New Zealand.

The Melbourne Stars will be bring strong lineup captained by David Hussey and including T20 specialists and England international Luke Wright, and former Australian international Ben Hilfenhaus.

Australian women's captain Meg Lanning will lead the Stars women's side.

White Fern Sophie Devine will be part of the Wellington Blaze side in the double header against the Melbourne Stars.

White Fern Sophie Devine will be part of the Wellington Blaze side in the double header against the Melbourne Stars. Photo: Photosport

Former Black Caps captain Stephen Fleming is now coach of the Melbourne Stars side.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to play against quality opposition in the lead up to Big Bash League. I'm very familiar with the Basin and the Wellington Firebirds, and I know this is exactly the sort of preparation we're looking for before we launch our campaign."

The last time Fleming played on the Basin Reserve was in 2011 when he organised a cricket fundraiser in support of victims of the Christchurch earthquake.

Former Black Caps captain Stephen Fleming will return to the Basin Reserve as coach of the Melbourne Stars.

Former Black Caps captain Stephen Fleming will return to the Basin Reserve as coach of the Melbourne Stars. Photo: Photosport

Wellington coach Bruce Edgar, said the opportunity to play competitive opposition early in their T20 campaign was ideal.

"We're always looking for ways to extend our players and prepare as hard as possible, and the chance to pit ourselves against the Stars is just what we're looking for."