Melbourne Stars name David Hussey new captain

The Melbourne Stars have named David Hussey their new captain and James Faulkner the vice-captain for the upcoming fifth season of the Big Bash League. The Stars had to pick a new captain after recently retired Michael Clarke, who was supposed to lead them, pulled out of the tournament, and Cameron White, who led them last season, switched to Melbourne Renegades.

Hussey was upbeat about captaining the side with Faulkner as deputy and described his appointment as "interesting".

"It's an interesting decision by the Melbourne Stars," Hussey told News Corp. "James Faulkner's going to be the vice-captain and he's going to be a great person to bounce ideas off. I've also learnt from two great captains before me in Shane Warne and Cameron White. In terms of me being captain, it's a tough one."

The Stars have made the semi-finals in all four seasons so far, but have not reached the final even once. Addressing that was Hussey's main concern. "I'm really focused on helping the Melbourne Stars. I want to win some silverware," he said. "It is frustrating. We've been semi-finalists every year since the inception of the competition."

Hussey, 38, was not sure of his appointment as a long-term plan and said Faulkner could be the future captain of the Stars in the coming years. Hussey had played only four matches last season with an unimpressive tally of 37 runs at an average of 12.33 and strike rate of 97.36.

"I'm always for never standing in the way of a younger player coming through," he said. "James Faulkner, hopefully we can work together and maybe he's going to be a future captain of the Melbourne Stars, maybe next year or the year after."

The Stars will also have a new coach for this season - former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming who has coached IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings. Fleming was banking on the familiarity he shares with Hussey and was eager to have their international star Kevin Pietersen in the camp. Their other international recruit is an England batsman as well - Luke Wright.

"It's nice to have a strong Victorian presence as captain," Fleming said. "To be working with him is quite a key component because I know him so well.

"There's been a lot written about Kevin, and whether or not he should be playing international cricket. I'm pretty pleased he's playing with the Stars," Fleming had said after his appointment earlier this year.

The Stars will start their tournament on December 18 against the Adelaide Strikers at the Adelaide Oval.