Stars sign Fleming to take coach role

Chennai Super Kings head coach and New Zealand legend Stephen Fleming will take over from Greg Shipperd at Melbourne Stars for next season’s KFC T20 Big Bash League.

After reaching the semi-finals in four straight years, the Stars have failed to make a finals appearance and stated recently that they were exploring coaching options with Shipperd’s contract having expired with the franchise.

“I’ve been coaching in India for the past seven years in the IPL and have watched the Big Bash League grow from afar,” Fleming said.

“It’s a great opportunity to work with another T20 side – the Stars are an exciting club and I’m looking to develop my coaching through this opportunity as well.

“It will be a big change after Greg, who has been working with both the Stars and Victorian sides for four years; it’s going to be a different perspective coming from outside of that.

“Hopefully it’s an opportunity for me to bring in some fresh ideas from the IPL and my time as a New Zealand cricketer.”

The former left-handed opening batsman said he felt the Stars were well positioned to build on their semi-final finishes from the first four seasons.

“Consistency-wise it’s been very good, it’s just the last game, the semi-final hurdle,” he told Triple M. “It’s almost the South Africa of the Big Bash, and it’s not easy, the guys have played extremely well to get to that point, and one-off games, things can happen.

“What I’m looking to do is take my experiences from winning IPL and Champions League with Chennai and just try to create a calm sense that we can win the final – I don’t think there’s too much more to be done.

“Greg’s done a great job of being consistent with the side and my challenge really is to ice the cake, so if we can complete a pretty good roster this year, then there’s no reason with the talent in that roster we can’t do that.”

Fleming played 111 Test for the Black Caps, captaining them in a record 80 matches, and Stars Chief Executive Clint Cooper said he was excited about the quality the 41-year-old brings.

“We are delighted to be able to secure a coach of Stephen’s calibre, and genuinely believe that he has the right credentials to help guide the club over the next few years,” Cooper said.

“As a player and captain, Stephen was one of the most revered and respected players in world cricket and, since taking on the head coach role at CSK, he has enjoyed success by winning titles in the IPL and the coveted Champions League Tournament.”

Fleming now has the opportunity to extend that success to the Stars, a club he believes is capable of taking the next step in the BBL.

“I think it’s widely known the Melbourne Stars has a lot of potential to win,” he said.

“With the playing squad and talent at the club, they should always be a competitive side.

“It’s a great time to get the team – they’re not too far away from achieving their goals and yet it’s going to be a great challenge to get them over that final hurdle.”

Cooper also paid tribute to the hard work and leadership of Shipperd.

“Greg has been a wonderful servant of the club since its inception and leaves a remarkable legacy through the values and standards he has instilled right across the club,” he said.

“His leadership, particularly in the establishment phase, has helped to build a strong foundation for the Melbourne Stars.”

Fleming will next visit Melbourne in March for the World Cup finals and will use that opportunity to meet with players, coaching staff, key stakeholders and the Board.