BBL 2025/26 | Match 5: Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes | Preview and Predictions

Still searching for their first Big Bash League title, the Melbourne Stars are set to kick-off the 2025/26 campaign against defending champions Hobart Hurricanes at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne on December 18, 2025. 

Here, we present our preview and predictions for Match 5 between the Stars and the Hurricanes.

BBL|15 Match 5: Stars vs Hurricanes | 13:45 IST, December 18, 2025

Still chasing that elusive first title, the Stars will look to start strong in familiar home conditions. Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis headline a destructive middle order with proven match-winning pedigree, giving them the ability to control momentum through the middle and late overs, combining power-hitting with all-around bowling options to maintain balance across conditions.

Additionally, their bowling attack has great variety in pace, spin, and experience, giving them the ability to adapt across conditions. Haris Rauf will lead the pace attack with express speed and consistent breakthroughs, while Peter Siddle will bring experience and control, especially in pressure situations.

Mitchell Swepson’s leg-spin through the middle-overs, with Tom Curran and Liam Hatcher’s variations offering depth and flexibility across all the phases.

That being said, the Stars have still not addressed their top-order concerns from the previous season. Melbourne Stars were the worst among all teams last season at the top-order, averaging just 19.57 and striking at only 124. Moreover, with little change in player profiles ahead of the new season, it could be another year of over reliance on the middle and lower orders. 

The Hobart Hurricanes on the other hand weren’t at their best to start the defence of their title but got the job done in the final over against Sydney Thunder with four wickets remaining in front of their home fans. The top order contributed well and it bodes well for the champions moving forward, even though it will be significantly tougher for them on the road.

In their opening fixture, Hobart won the toss at Bellerive Oval and asked the visitors to bat first. Both Matthew Gilkes and Sam Konstas gave the Thunder a solid platform, however, it was tall seamer Billy Stanlake who had the last laugh with figures of 3 for 34 from his four overs. Cameron Bancroft was the star with the bat for the Thunder scoring 61 off 41 deliveries, propelling them to 180 for 6 at the end of 20 overs. 

Both Riley Meredith (0-45 off his 4 overs) and Nathan Ellis (1-39 off his 4 overs) were taken to the cleaners for the hosts – especially at the death overs. In reply of 181, the Hurricanes’ top order made light work of the chase. Mitchell Owen (32 off 14), Nikhil Chaudhary (41 off 31) and Ben McDermott (38 off 24) were threatening to produce a repeat of last season’s final, however, some quality bowling by the Thunder’s spin department took the game down to the last over, needing English all-rounder Chris Jordan to score a valuable 16* off 13 deliveries as well as taking 2 for 36 in his four overs, resulting in him winning the Man of the Match award in the process. 

Looking ahead to this fixture, while the Melbourne Stars boast quality depth across all departments, Hobart Hurricanes have the benefit of already playing a game with their key batters all having spent time at the crease and scoring runs at a decent rate and more importantly closing out the game. As a result, we are backing the Hurricanes to get the better of the Stars and register their second win on the bounce. 

Fantasy XI: Joe Clarke, Sam Konstas, Nikhil Chaudhary, Ben McDermott (c), Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Rishad Hossain, Nathan Ellis, Tom Curran, Haris Rauf (vc), Billy Stanlake 

Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

Winners Prediction: Hobart Hurricanes