Flintoff to stay a Star after penning new two-year deal

Melbourne Stars have secured the services of exciting young allrounder Tess Flintoff for another two seasons, in a deal that will see her remain in green until at least the end of Weber WBBL|09.

The Stars’ leading wicket taker across the past two seasons, Flintoff made her debut at the club aged just 16 in WBBL|05 and has captured the attention of national selectors with her pace bowling and batting.

She was part of the Australia A squad that went undefeated against England A earlier this year and has been earmarked as a potential future representative at the highest level.

"After playing away from home for the last two years, I can't wait to get back in front of family, friends and all the Stars fans," Flintoff said.

"We've missed them and they'll provide a huge boost for the team.

"I feel like we've got a great young group at the Stars along with some very talented senior players and I'm looking forward to meeting and working with our new head coach, Jonathan Batty, after his success in the Hundred last year."

The Stars currently have six players locked in for the eighth edition of the WBBL, with Flintoff joined by Australia captain Meg Lanning and allrounder Annabel Sutherland, wicketkeeper Nicole Faltum and Irish allrounder Kim Garth, who will play as a local this season after attaining permanent residency.

Former Hurricanes captain Sasha Moloney is the sole new face in the squad so far, with eight spots left to fill including all three overseas slots.

However the Stars, who narrowly missed the top four last season after finishing runners-up in WBBL|06, could be on the hunt for a new star opener.

Cricket.com.au understands former Australia batter Elyse Villani, who lives in Tasmania and plays with the Tigers in the WNCL, is set to leave the Melbourne club and sign with the Hurricanesfor WBBL|08.

Villani starred for the Stars last summer opening the batting alongside captain Meg Lanning, ending the competition as the fourth-highest runs scorer with 439 at 43.9, while she also made an unbeaten 111 not out as Tasmania claimed their maiden WNCL title in March.

Melbourne Stars WBBL|08 squad so far: Meg Lanning (c), Tess Flintoff, Nicole Faltum, Kim Garth, Sasha Moloney, Annabel Sutherland