Image: Melbourne Stars part ways with Jonathan Batty / © Melbourne Stars
With the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) coming to an end, the Melbourne Stars have announced the departure of their head coach, Jonathan Batty, after another disappointing season. The team managed just two wins in nine games, finishing last on the table for the 2023-24 season. This marks the third consecutive year of poor performances under Batty’s leadership, with the Stars previously ending in sixth and seventh positions.
Batty, who also coaches the Delhi Capitals in the WPL, joined the Stars three seasons ago but failed to replicate any significant success. The franchise has only made the WBBL finals once in its history, during the 2020-21 season under Trent Woodhill, where they lost the final to Sydney Thunder. In the statement, the team said:
We’d like to thank Jonathan and his commitment to the Stars over the last 3 years. We wish Jonathan and his family all the best for the future. We feel like the list is in a position to achieve success and ultimately, we have again fallen short of making the WBBL finals.
The Stars’ General Manager, Blair Crouch, expressed gratitude for Batty’s commitment but emphasized the need for a fresh start. The team now looks for its fifth coach in seven years, aiming to rebuild for future campaigns.