BBL: Stephen Fleming steps down as Melbourne Stars coach

Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming has resigned as the head coach of Melbourne Stars, one of the competitors in the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia. The Stars made their second final in the BBL this year but lost to the other Melbourne team – Renegades – by 13 runs. In 2015, the Stars had lost to Sydney Thunder in the final. Fleming had taken over as the coach of the side that year itself.

Fleming, who is also the coach of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has learnt to have informed Cricket Australia that he would not be seeking an extension of his contract.

“Stephen has been a wonderful servant of the Melbourne Stars and we completely respect his decision to step down as head coach. He has left a large footprint on the club which we will be forever grateful for,” Stars president Eddie McGuire said in a statement on Wednesday, Sportstar reported.

Fleming to continue giving inputs

McGuire though said that despite his exit, the 45-year-old will continue to pass inputs and advice to the Stars as an “international talent advisor”. Stephen Fleming, one of New Zealand’s most prolific scorers and successful captains, felt it was the right time for him to leave the position and allow somebody else to take up the baton.

“I feel the time is right for me to step down and allow someone else to take the reins and the club forward,” he said. He said the Stars made a significant improvement in a season after finishing last in the 2017 edition of the BBL to being the finalist in 2018 one. He was also hopeful that the Stars will win the title sooner which the team didn’t manage under him as it was always the case of so close yet so far.

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