England international Liam Plunkett will play in the Big Bash League for the first time this season after signing for the Melbourne Stars following Matt Parkinson's withdrawal due to injury.

Lancashire spinner Parkinson will be unable to take part in the tournament due to a stress fracture to his back.

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Parkinson's absence has allowed the Stars to bring in Plunkett, who has played 13 Tests, 74 one-day internationals and 20 Twenty20s for England, as an international replacement.

"It's obviously disappointing for Matt that he won't be able to partake in what would have been his first Big Bash season," Melbourne Stars list manager Trent Woodhill said.

"We'd like to wish Matt a very speedy recovery.

"However, this circumstance provides us with an opportunity and in Plunkett we have an experienced and successful white-ball bowler who has excelled for England and Yorkshire.

"We're excited about the role he will play for us."

Melbourne Stars

Current squad: Michael Beer, Jackson Bird, Scott Boland, Liam Bowe, Dwayne Bravo (WI), Jackson Coleman, Travis Dean, Ben Dunk, Seb Gotch, Evan Gulbis, Peter Handscomb, Sandeep Lamichhane (NEP), Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jonathan Merlo, Marcus Stoinis, Daniel Worrall, Adam Zampa, Liam Plunkett (ENG, international replacement)

In: Jackson Bird (Sixers), Dwayne Bravo (West Indies), Travis Dean (Renegades replacement), Sandeep Lamichhane (Nepal), Nic Maddinson (Sixers), Jonathan Merlo.

Out: James Faulkner (Hurricanes), Sam Harper (unsigned), John Hastings (Sixers), Kevin Pietersen (retired), Rob Quiney (retired), Luke Wright.

Roster spots to fill: none

Internationals signed: two, plus one replacement

Coach: Stephen Fleming