Joe Burns has signed up with the Melbourne Stars on a three-year deal after nine seasons with his hometown franchise Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League. The experienced batter, who has 1192 runs in 59 BBL matches and is the third on the all-time highest run-scorers for the Heat, has signed with the Stars until the end of the 2023-24 season.
"It was obviously a difficult decision leaving the Heat after being there for so long, however, I am ready for a new challenge at the Stars," Burns said.
"The Melbourne Stars have been a very strong team over the years and I'm excited to join the team and I can't wait to get stuck into training with my new teammates."
Burns, who is coming off a tough summer in 2020-21 having lost his Test spot, had an average run in the latest Big Bash season. He scored 180 runs at 22.50 average, hitting just one fifty in 12 games. His best in the tournament across seasons came during Heat's successful campaign in 2012-13, where he scored 248 runs in nine matches, including a 27-ball 43 in the final.
The Stars, meanwhile, had a disappointing 2020-21 season, finishing seventh with just five wins from their 14 games following their runners-up finish in the previous two years. Burns' inclusion will further shore up the batting line-up which also has experienced stars like Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis.
"We are excited to welcome Joe to our squad for the next three seasons, especially given the experience and batting depth he adds to the squad," Stars head coach David Hussey said.
"We are building a strong group with a lot of star power so, hopefully, we can play in front of our home fans and make it a special summer."
The 11th season of the men's BBL is scheduled to begin on December 5, with Stars taking on Sydney Sixers at SCG.
Melbourne Stars updated squad: Joe Burns, Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Seb Gotch, Liam Hatcher, Clint Hinchliffe, Nick Larkin, Glenn Maxwell (c), Tom O'Connell, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
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