Aussie cricket great BLASTS Big Bash League stars for going home to celebrate Christmas

Australia cricket great Brad Hogg has criticised Marcus Stoinis and Nathan Coulter-Nile for missing a crucial Big Bash League match in order to spend time with their families at Christmas.

The Melbourne Stars duo missed their team’s six-wicket loss against the Perth Scorchers on Boxing Day after heading home to Perth for Christmas.

Their absences were compounded by the long-term unavailability of star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who will miss the entire campaign with a broken leg. 

Brad Hogg (left) has criticised Marcus Stoinis and Nathan Coulter-Nile for missing the Melbourne Stars’ BBL clash against Perth on Boxing Day

The Stars have won just one of their first five games and the attitude of some of the players has been questioned by coach David Hussey.

And Hogg, who won the 2003 and 2007 World Cup with Australia, shared Hussey’s frustration. 

‘It’s always massive when you lose someone like Glenn Maxwell,’ he said on SEN.

‘I’m listening to a few comments coach David Hussey has said over the last couple of days […] the attitude he wasn’t happy with them with the previous game.

Marcus Stoinis averages just 3.5 with the bat in four BBL games this season 

The 33-year-old has taken two wickets from his seven overs at an average above 11

‘When you’ve got a couple players going home for Christmas and not participating in the game and then you’ve got the big injury of Glenn Maxwell, then it’s going to upset other players in your camp.

‘I don’t like being negative on these sort of fronts, but you’re a team. You’ve signed a contract. You’re there for the long run.’

Hussey noted Stoinis and Coulter-Nile’s decision to fly home for Christmas was particularly disappointing as both are white-ball specialists, whose schedule isn’t as tight as that of those of their colleagues who play red-ball cricket.

‘Some of these players aren’t playing all formats of the game for Australia so for me, there’s probably no excuse unless there’s some serious personal reasons to have to leave the team environment,’ he added.

Nathan Coulter-Nile took 3-15 in the Stars’ opening game of the BBL season 

But the fast bowler has taken only three wickets in the next three matches

‘Little things like that can upset the group.’

One of Australia’s best players in their botched T20 World Cup campaign last month, Stoinis has struggled in the BBL. The 33-year-old averages just 3.5 with the bat from his four innings, taking two wickets from his seven overs at an average above 11.

After taking 3-19 in the opening game, meanwhile, Coulter-Nile has taken only three wickets in the next three matches. 

Stars coach David Hussey conceded his team had crumbled under pressure against Perth

Speaking after the loss against the Scorchers, Hussey conceded his team had crumbled under pressure.

‘Our boys had a crack [against Perth] and competed but we just need to tidy up a few areas of the attitude I think,’ he told Fox Cricket.

‘It’s more attitude as in we have a couple of team rules about competing and working with the captain on which plans to bowl to certain players and unfortunately those plans disappeared when the heat was on.’