Melbourne, September 10 (Daily Kiran) : New Zealand’s explosive batsman Finn Allen has signed with the Melbourne Stars for the upcoming season of the Big Bash League (BBL), organized by Cricket Australia. Allen is considered one of the most dangerous T20 players in the game today.
His addition strengthens the Stars, who already boast notable players like Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis. The next BBL season is set to commence on December 12. Last season, Allen played for the Perth Scorchers, where he was the team’s leading run-scorer with an impressive total of 466 runs at an average of 42.36.
Expressing his excitement about joining the Stars, Allen stated, “The Stars are a powerhouse team in this league. Playing for them will be a lot of fun. They already have a massive fanbase and are growing even bigger. I can’t wait to be a part of it. I think every cricketer loves playing at the MCG, so to call it my home ground is truly exciting.”
Allen has had a remarkable year in T20 cricket, delivering several memorable performances both in the league and on the international stage. Earlier this year, he scored a stunning 101 runs off 53 balls for the Scorchers. He also played a crucial role in the T20 World Cup, scoring a century off just 33 balls in the semifinal against South Africa, leading New Zealand to the final. Additionally, while playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 for Kolkata Knight Riders, he made another century off 47 balls.
Under the updated player signing regulations for the BBL, the Melbourne Stars are permitted to sign up to three international players directly this year, as there is no overseas player draft scheduled. Allen is the twelfth player signed by the Stars for BBL 16, leaving six spots open on the roster.
Finn Allen holds a casual contract with New Zealand Cricket, allowing him to participate in league cricket while remaining available for national team selection. In his T20 international career, Allen has played 62 matches, scoring 1,663 runs at a strike rate of 170.73, including three centuries and seven half-centuries. Overall, in T20 matches, he has amassed 6,024 runs in 215 games, featuring seven centuries and 36 fifties, with a strike rate of 176.50 and a top score of 151.
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