Annabel Sutherland's Smooth Transition to Stars Captaincy Praised by Kim Garth as Team Aims for WBBL Finals

Kim Garth has praised Annabel Sutherland's smooth transition into the role of Melbourne Stars captain, with the 23-year-old already making her mark in WBBL|10. Sutherland, who took over from Meg Lanning, has impressed her teammates with her thorough preparation and leadership skills.

Garth, speaking on The Surge Big Bash podcast, highlighted Sutherland’s attention to detail, both in her physical and tactical preparation. “She’s so prepared, both with her skills and her planning. She knows every player inside and out,” Garth said. Despite a tough start to the season with a loss to Perth Scorchers, Sutherland has guided the Stars to victories over Sydney Sixers and Hobart Hurricanes, putting them in a strong position early on.

Sutherland's rise has been significant. Over the past few years, she has developed from a fringe player to a key figure for both the Australian national team and the Melbourne Stars. Her bowling, especially in the death overs, has become a major asset, while her batting has also flourished, with three international centuries in the past year.

Garth noted that Sutherland’s confidence has grown with her increased responsibility, particularly in the Australian side. “Her execution is better than anyone I’ve ever seen,” Garth said, praising Sutherland’s ability to nail yorkers and slower balls under pressure. This confidence made Sutherland a natural choice for the Stars' captaincy.

While Lanning remains a valuable resource for the team, Garth emphasized that Sutherland has carved out her own leadership style. “She has a good balance of learning from Meg, but also doing things her own way,” Garth said. “For someone so young, she’s incredibly mature in her cricketing knowledge.”

Looking ahead, the Stars are determined to make their first WBBL finals appearance since 2020. With new international signings like Marizanne Kapp, Deepti Sharma, and Yastika Bhatia, along with the continued development of players like Rhys McKenna and Sophie Day, Garth is confident in the team’s prospects. "I think our list is better than before, and we’ve put in some really good performances," Garth said, adding that the team's depth and successful recruitment make this season promising.

With the WBBL finals in their sights, the Melbourne Stars are eager to secure the championship that has eluded them in previous seasons.