Jonathan Batty parts ways with Melbourne Stars WBBL side after an underwhelming three-year spell at the helm.
Jonathan Batty has officially parted ways with the Melbourne Stars WBBL team.
After another season in which they missed the finals, the Melbourne Stars parted ways with Jonathan Batty and are now looking for their sixth WBBL coach in seven years.
Batty and the team had split up by “mutual agreement” following a disappointing season. This was according to a statement released by the Stars yesterday. After winning two of their first three games to open the tournament, they lost six straight games. Including the season’s last game, and finished last in the standings.
During his three seasons as coach of the Stars, Batty—who also coaches the Delhi Capitals in the WPL—saw them finish sixth, seventh, and ninth.
“We’d like to thank Jonathan and his commitment to the Stars over the last 3 years,” Stars General Manager Blair Crouch said.
“We wish Jonathan and his family all the best for the future. We feel like we’re in a position to achieve success and we have fallen short of making the WBBL finals.”
Only once in WBBL history have stars advanced to the finals. It was in 2020–21, when Trent Woodhill led them there before they were defeated by the Sydney Thunder in the championship game. David Hemp, who had led them for the first five seasons without a final appearance. He had been replaced by Woodhill as their first coach. After just one season, Woodhill left the position to join Cricket Australia.
Before Batty was hired, Jarrad Loughnan took over for one season in 2021–2022. The Stars and Hobart Hurricanes are still the only two teams without a single WBBL or BBL championship.