STARS APPOINT WOODHILL AS WOMEN’S COACH

MELBOURNE Stars have appointed club list manager and former Big Bash League assistant coach Trent Woodhill as their new WBBL coach.

Woodhill (pictured) has replaced David Hemp in heading up the women’s team, but will retain his list manager role across the WBBL and BBL squads.

“It’s a great opportunity and one I’m looking forward to getting stuck in to,” he said.

“I’ve been involved with the Stars for many years now and know the environment and the ethos well.

“We’re backing ourselves to bounce back from some of the results in recent WBBL seasons.

“The competition is only getting stronger and we need to be stronger, too.

“I’d certainly like to see a maiden finals appearance this season and win the title, but there is plenty of work to do first.”

Woodhill’s dual role reflects the cost-cutting measures being taken across Cricket Victoria, which confirmed a restructure last month.

He has significant experience across the men’s game, working in coaching roles at Cricket NSW and New Zealand Cricket, along with IPL clubs Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils.

Woodhill also worked in the women’s game with NSW Breakers in 2008-09 and was a batting coach to Australian opener Alyssa Healy.

“Trent is well known to everyone at the Stars and in the Big Bash more broadly,” Cricket Victoria general manager of cricket Shaun Graf said.

“I’m pleased he’s accepted this opportunity to move into a head coach position with the WBBL squad.”

The Stars have never qualified for the WBBL finals.

Meanwhile, Stars general manager Nick Cummins said the club expected to have a “better understanding” of what the next WBBL season would look like in the coming months.

Cricket Australia had been considering reducing the season length as part of costcutting measures but that now appears unlikely.