BBL 2025/26 | Match 11: Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars | Preview and Predictions

The Sydney Sixers will take on the Melbourne Stars in Match 11 of the 2025/26 KFC Big Bash League season at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Boxing Day. 

The Sixers have had a tricky start to their season, having lost two on the bounce before securing a big win against the Sydney Thunder in their last game. Meanwhile, the Stars have been terrific, taking the top spot after winning both their opening fixtures and looking one of the stronger outfits after the first 10 games of the season. 

Here, we present our preview and predictions for this game between the Sixers and the Stars.

BBL|15 Match 11: Sixers vs Stars | 12:35 IST, December 26, 2025

The Sixers have not been at their best so far and have managed to win just the one game from the first three outings. In their last game, though, they beat local rivals Sydney Thunder comprehensively, which catapulted them to third on the table with a healthy net run rate.

Both Josh Philippe (170) and Jack Edwards (81) have been the standout performers with the bat thus far for the Sixers, although it’d come as a big relief to the management that their marquee international recruit for this season, Babar Azam, has finally contributed with some runs, having scored 58 off 42 deliveries against the Thunder.

The likes of Daniel Hughes, skipper Moises Henriques, and experienced middle-order batter Jordan Silk have all chipped in here and there, though none of them have really managed to anchor an innings or take the game deep with any consistency.

The Sixers’ bowling has mainly been relying on three individuals. Jack Edwards has led the way with eight wickets, handling his role with control. Joel Davies and Ben Dwarshuis have picked up seven between them, but the others have been inconsistent. This is one area the Sixers will look to address in the upcoming fixtures.

The Melbourne Stars, on the other hand, have started their campaign in commanding fashion, going two from two to sit at the top of the table. With all major boxes ticked, their focus will now shift towards carrying this momentum into the business end and securing a top-two finish.

At the top, Tom Rogers, Joe Clarke, and Campbell Kellaway have all started on a positive note, getting good starts and helping the team keep momentum throughout their batting innings.

In the engine room, the likes of Marcus Stoinis and Sam Harper have already contributed to winning causes with crucial half-centuries, and with the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Hilton Cartwright, and Tom Curran to follow, the Stars’ batting line-up looks unstoppable at the moment.

Their bowling unit has been one of the best across the competition both in terms of quality and variety. With both Haris Rauf and Peter Siddle offering pace and experience, while Curran and Stoinis bring variations, they have a very potent seam attack. Moreover, the tight control and pressure created by the spin duo of Mitchell Swepson and Maxwell is an underrated commodity in T20 cricket.

In terms of weather forecast and what to expect from the venue, conditions in Sydney will be breezy, with cloud cover breaking up to allow some sun through. Since it’s an early start, there will be some assistance for the bowlers with the new ball during both innings, making the Powerplay crucial for both teams. Moreover, the SCG also has a reputation for assisting spinners, but only when the ball loses its hardness.

Looking at this contest, although it is still very early in the season, we know any team can turn their fortunes around in a few games. The Sixers, despite their early blemishes, come into this contest with newfound confidence after battering the Thunder. That said, the Stars have looked strong and comfortable in both of their victories.

Taking current form and team combinations into consideration, we are backing the Melbourne Stars to make it three in three.

Fantasy XI: Tom Rogers, Babar Azam, Campbell Kellaway, Josh Philippe, Marcus Stoinis (c), Glenn Maxwell, Jack Edwards (vc), Ben Dwarshuis, Tom Curran, Haris Rauf, Kane Richardson

Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney 
Winners Prediction: Melbourne Stars