Austin Anlezark is the kind of story cricket loves — a country quick who nearly lost his career to injury before it started, fought his way back, and is now knocking on the door at the Melbourne Stars. Born on 16 June 2005 in Briagolong, Victoria, the 21-year-old is a right-arm fast-medium bowler who bats left-handed. After earning a Victorian rookie contract and a Stars deal, he made his professional debut in the One-Day Cup in October 2025. The BBL debut hasn’t come yet, but in a Stars squad always hunting for local pace depth, it feels like a matter of when, not if.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full name | Austin Anlezark |
| Born | 16 June 2005, Briagolong, Victoria |
| Country | Australia |
| Role | Bowler |
| Batting | Left-handed |
| Bowling | Right-arm fast-medium |
| BBL team | Melbourne Stars (contracted to BBL|16) |
| State team | Victoria |
| Clubs | Boisdale-Briagolong, Richmond |
Background & Early Life
Anlezark is from Briagolong, a small town in country Victoria, and he started out with his local club Boisdale-Briagolong before moving to Richmond in Melbourne’s Premier Cricket competition. He came through Victoria Country’s under-19 system and earned call-ups to national youth camps, where coaches kept flagging the same things: consistency, movement off the pitch, and the ability to hold his nerve under pressure. For a young quick, control is the rarest commodity — and Anlezark had it early.
Then came the cruel part. Serious back injuries threatened to derail his career before it had properly begun — the nightmare scenario for any young fast bowler. But Anlezark did the hard rehab, came back, and finished the club season strongly for Richmond. The reward: a Victorian rookie contract in May 2024. It was a show of faith from the state, and Anlezark repaid it quickly. At the 2024 Top End T20 in Darwin, turning out for the Stars Academy, he took 7 wickets in 3 matches — a breakout that put his name firmly on the BBL radar.
Test Career
Not played yet. Anlezark is at the start of his professional journey and has not played senior international cricket.
ODI Career
Not played yet.
T20I Career
Not played yet.
Domestic Career
The big milestone came on 9 October 2025. Anlezark made his professional debut for Victoria in the One-Day Cup against South Australia at Adelaide Oval, returning 1 for 46 from nine overs — and the wicket was a beauty to start with: Nathan McAndrew. The following week, at home against New South Wales, he took two wickets in three balls and showed he belonged. He’s now played 7 List A matches for Victoria, taking 9 wickets at 31.33 with a best of 3 for 61. The numbers are modest, but the trajectory is what matters: from serious back injuries to a state contract and senior wickets in about 18 months.
Franchise Career
Anlezark has no overseas franchise experience yet. His only taste of franchise cricket so far has been inside the Melbourne Stars set-up — first as a local replacement player when Scott Boland was away on national duty in December 2024, then as a fully contracted player for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons. The Stars Academy stint at the Top End T20 in Darwin (7 wickets in 3 matches) is the other line on his T20 CV, and it was the performance that got him noticed.
BBL Career
The Stars were watching, and they liked what they saw. When Scott Boland was away on national duty, they brought Anlezark in as a local replacement player — a priceless taste of a professional BBL environment for a 19-year-old. That December they signed him properly for the 2024-25 BBL season, and he was re-signed ahead of 2025-26, with Stars management praising his ability and saying he’d learn plenty around the senior group. He’s part of a Stars squad that’s been busy building for BBL|16, and local quicks who can swing the new ball are always gold in the BBL.
Season-by-Season
- BBL|14 (2024-25): Signed by the Stars in December 2024 after his time as a local replacement; no debut yet, but a full season around the squad.
- BBL|15 (2025-26): Re-signed for a second season with the Stars.
- BBL|16 (2026-27): Contracted to the Stars; pushing hard for that elusive first BBL appearance alongside Glenn Maxwell and the senior core.
Playing Style & Strengths
Anlezark is a disciplined right-armer who extracts movement off the pitch rather than relying on raw pace. Coaches keep using the same word — maturity. He’s calm, hits his areas, and doesn’t get flustered when batters come at him, which is rare for a 21-year-old quick. That control is exactly why the Stars want him around the group: in T20 cricket, a young bowler who can be trusted with the new ball is worth his weight in gold. There’s more pace to come as he fills out, but the base — skill, temperament, repeatability — is already there.
Recent Form & What to Watch
The 2025-26 season is the big one for Anlezark. He’s on Victoria’s books, he’s contracted to the Stars through BBL|16, and he’s had his first taste of senior cricket — 9 List A wickets including a best of 3 for 61. The next step is obvious: force his way into Victoria’s best XI regularly, and push for that BBL debut. With the Stars’ senior core around him, he’ll keep learning at training — but sooner or later the coaches will want to see what he does with a ball in his hand under lights. If the movement he showed for Richmond and the Stars Academy translates to the BBL, the Stars might have found themselves a genuine local find. Watch this space.
Key Stats
| Format | Mat | Wkts | Avg | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| List A | 7 | 9 | 31.33 | 3/61 |
| BBL | 0 | — | — | — |
| Top End T20 2024 (Stars Academy) | 3 | 7 | — | — |
No BBL debut yet. Last verified: 18 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which BBL team does Austin Anlezark play for?
The Melbourne Stars, contracted through BBL|16. He joined as a local replacement in December 2024 and was re-signed for 2025-26.
Where is Anlezark from?
Briagolong in country Victoria. He played for Boisdale-Briagolong and Richmond cricket clubs.
Has Anlezark made his BBL debut?
Not yet. He’s been in the Stars squad as a local replacement and on contract, learning around the group while playing List A cricket for Victoria.
See the BBL 2027 schedule for Stars fixtures, meet the other BBL 2027 teams, and check the BBL 2027 points table once the season starts.