Luke Wright bids farewell to Melbourne Stars
The allrounder ends a seven-year association with the club, during which he became their highest run-getter with 1479 runs in 57 matches, including two memorable hundreds
ESPNcricinfo staff
19-Jan-2018
Scott Barbour/Getty Images
Luke Wright has bid farewell to the Melbourne Stars after seven years with the BBL club. Wright was ruled out of the Stars' upcoming match against the Sydney Thunder on Saturday after being diagnosed with delayed concussion, and after discussions with the management has decided to end his time at the club. Wright was twice struck on the helmet by short balls from Ben Dwarshius during the Stars' eight-wicket defeat to the Sydney Sixers on Tuesday - his 13-ball 11 in that game has turned out to be his final innings for the Stars.
Wright's exit coincides with a period of rebuilding for the Stars, who are also set to be without Kevin Pietersen, who has announced that he will retire from all forms of cricket by the end of this year. Stars have endured a torrid 2017-18 season, and are currently bottom of the BBL table with only one win in seven matches.
The 32-year-old Wright ends his Stars career as the team's most capped player - he featured in 57 matches - and highest scorer, with 1479 runs at an average of 29.00 and a strike rate of 131.23, and two memorable hundreds - 117 against the Hobart Hurricanes in January 2012, when he put on a BBL record 172 for the first wicket with Rob Quiney; and an unbeaten 109 in the derby against the Melbourne Renegades in January 2016.
"It's been seven years with the Melbourne Stars, and it's been a time that I've absolutely loved and will cherish," Wright said. "I'm enormously proud to have been a foundation member and I'm so grateful to have been given the opportunity to play for such a long time and amongst so many great players and teammates.
"I've forged so many good friendships on and off the field and it's been incredible to be part of such a tremendous club. I've loved running out onto the MCG in front of a terrific bunch of fans who've been so supportive.
"Obviously, it's not the farewell I'd imagined, but that's cricket. I leave with nothing but great memories of my time here and I wish the boys, and the club generally, all the best in the years to come. This chapter of my career is closed but I look forward to the next phase, and catching up with many of these guys down the track."