Stars to take Big Bash warm-ups to Wellington

The Melbourne Stars will take their preparations for the upcoming KFC Big Bash League season across the Tasman this summer.

Both the men's BBL team and Rebel Women's Big Bash League side will tour New Zealand capital Wellington in early December, as they seek an advantage over their rivals.

Cricket Wellington will host the Stars for two days of practice matches at Basin Reserve on December 6 and 7.

A host of the Stars' biggest players will make the journey to New Zealand for the warm-up tour, including BBL skipper David Hussey, England import Luke Wright, Ben Hilfenhaus, Tom Triffitt and Evan Gulbis.

Australia captain Meg Lanning will lead a full strength WBBL squad. 

"I’m very familiar with the Basin and the Wellington Firebirds, and I know this is exactly the sort of preparation we’re looking for before we launch our BBL|06 campaign," Stars's men's coach Stephen Fleming said.

Hussey said the match would provide invaluable ideal game time for the team's veterans in particular.

"For us it’s good to get game time into the players who aren’t playing first-class cricket anymore, me especially and Ben Hilfenhaus and Luke Wright as well," Hussey said.

The Stars have retained the BBL squad which fell at the final hurdle in BBL|05, while Lanning's team will feature one big recruit in former Australia batter Jess Cameron.

"I think the main thing is to give players playing time,” WBBL coach David Hemp said.

"Trying to get them to play different roles, in different positions will be a key objective but underlying all of that, for me, is to get that winning feeling again."