Melbourne [Australia], January 23 (ANI): Melbourne Stars have re-signed the trio of Hilton Cartwright, Sam Harper and Peter Siddle for the Big Bash League (BBL) 16th season. While Cartwright and Harper have both agreed to two-year extensions with the Melbourne-based franchise, Siddle will feature in at least one more season, according to a release by Melbourne Stars.

Harper's contract extension comes after a career-best season, in which he won the BBL Player of the Tournament award. Harper, 29, also played his 100th BBL match during the season. In the BBL 2025-26, he made 381 runs at 54.43, striking at 155.51, including scoring his maiden BBL century against Sydney Sixers at the SCG and two half-centuries.

Alongside Harper, Siddle was named in the BBL Team of the Tournament, highlighting the 41-year-old's exceptional bowling performance in the 2025-26 BBL season. Siddle featured in all 11 matches for the Stars in BBL|15, taking 16 wickets at an average of 17 and reaching speeds of around 145 km/h.

Since moving from Perth in 2019, Cartwright has played 114 BBL matches and has been a consistent and dependable player for the Stars.

The BBL Player Movement Window opens on Wednesday, 28 January, with clubs allowed to have a maximum of 10 players under contract before this date.

Coming to Melbourne Stars' 2025-26 BBL season, the Marcus Stoinis-led side started their season off with four consecutive victories but then lost three back-to-back matches. However, they did find their way back as they registered two back-to-back wins before facing a loss against Perth Scorchers in their last league-stage fixture, securing a place in the Knockout match as they finished fourth on the BBL points table.

Facing defending champions Hobart Hurricanes in the Knockout, the Stars faced a close three-run defeat in a rain-affected game, ending their maiden title-winning hopes. (ANI)