Allrounder replaces Dave Hussey as skipper as the Stars look to break their BBL title drought
Hastings unveiled as Stars captain
Allrounder John Hastings has been elevated to the captaincy of the Melbourne Stars for the upcoming KFC BBL season.
The 31-year-old, who missed all of last BBL season due to injury, replaces retired batsman David Hussey as skipper.
Hastings recently returned to Australia after a successful stint with English county side Worcestershire, which was cut short by a foot injury that is not expected to hamper his summer.
The right-armer was also a part of Australia's campaign at the ICC Champions Trophy and played the last of his nine T20s for Australia in Sri Lanka last year.
"We have a great Club and I can’t wait to pull the green shirt back on this summer and lead the team," Hastings said.
"Our squad is very close and we have built a great culture at the Club."
The Stars have already locked up 16 of their 18 players for the coming season, with Hussey and Tom Triffitt (uncontracted) left off their roster from last season.
Keeper-batsman Ben Dunk, last summer's leading BBL run-scorer, has been strongly linked in the media with a move to the Stars from the Adelaide Strikers.
English duo Kevin Pietersen and Luke Wright will again be the club's two imports for this summer.
Despite being one of the BBL's strongest performers since its inception, the Stars are yet to win their maiden title. They've made the semi-finals in all six seasons so far but have made the final just once, which they lost to the Thunder in BBL|05.
Extremely excited and proud to be named @StarsBBL captain. Can't wait for the season to start. Big season ahead for the men in green 👍🏼👍🏼— John Hastings (@johnhastings194) August 31, 2017
Melbourne Stars squad: Michael Beer, Scott Boland, James Faulkner, Seb Gotch, Evan Gulbis, Peter Handscomb, Sam Harper, John Hastings (c), Ben Hilfenhaus, Glenn Maxwell, Kevin Pietersen, Rob Quiney, Marcus Stoinis, Dan Worrall, Luke Wright, Adam Zampa.