The 2017–18 Melbourne Stars Women's season was the third in the team's history. Coached by David Hemp and captained by Kristen Beams, the Stars finished WBBL|03 in seventh place.
Squad
Each WBBL|03 squad featured 15 active players, with an allowance of up to five marquee signings including a maximum of three from overseas. Australian marquees were defined as players who made at least ten limited-overs appearances for the national team in the three years prior to the cut-off date (24 April 2017).
Personnel changes made ahead of the season included:
- Meg Lanning departed the Stars, signing with the Perth Scorchers. Kristen Beams was appointed captain of the team following Lanning's departure.
- English marquee Nat Sciver departed the Stars, also signing with the Perth Scorchers.
- New Zealand marquee Morna Nielsen and English marquee Danielle Hazell did not re-sign with the Stars.
- Erin Osborne signed with the Stars, departing the Sydney Thunder.
- Jess Duffin, Hayley Jensen and Emma Inglis departed the Stars, all signing with the Melbourne Renegades.
- Annabel Sutherland signed with the Stars, departing the Melbourne Renegades.
Changes made during the season included:
- Erin Osborne stood in as acting captain for two matches.
- New Zealand marquee Katey Martin signed with the Stars as a replacement player.
The table below lists the Stars players and their key stats (including runs scored, batting strike rate, wickets taken, economy rate, catches and stumpings) for the season.
Ladder
- The top four teams qualified for the play-off phase.
Fixtures
All times are local
The Adelaide Strikers recorded the first-ever one-wicket victory in WBBL history, defeating the Melbourne Stars on the last ball of the match. Requiring three runs with one delivery remaining, Tabatha Saville scored a boundary off Stars captain Kristen Beams to clinch a narrow win for the Strikers.
Statistics and awards
- Most runs: Lizelle Lee – 349 (10th in the league)
- Highest score in an innings: Lizelle Lee – 76 (62) vs Perth Scorchers, 26 December 2017
- Most wickets: Erin Osborne – 15 (equal 10th in the league)
- Best bowling figures in an innings:
- Annabel Sutherland – 4/20 (4 overs) vs Adelaide Strikers, 9 January 2018
- Erin Osborne – 4/20 (4 overs) vs Brisbane Heat, 13 January 2018
- Most catches (fielder): Erin Osborne – 8 (equal 8th in the league)
- Player of the Match awards:
- Georgia Elwiss, Alana King, Katie Mack, Erin Osborne – 1 each
- Stars Player of the Season: Erin Osborne
- WBBL|03 Young Gun Award: Annabel Sutherland (nominated)
References
