BBL 2025/26 | Match 10: Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Stars | Preview and Predictions

The Adelaide Strikers take on the Melbourne Stars in Match 10 of the 2025/26 Big Bash League season on December 23, 2025. 

Both teams have started their campaigns on a winning note. The Strikers were made to sweat hard in their opening clash against the Sydney Sixers and eventually won by three wickets, while the Stars kicked off the new season with a commanding victory over defending champions Hobart Hurricanes. 

For BBL|15 Match 10, here we present our preview and predictions.

BBL|15 Match 10: Thunder vs Heat | 13:45 IST, December 23, 2025

In their opening game, the Strikers delivered a complete performance with the ball before some calm heads in the second innings settled the nerves for a three-wicket win.

The Strikers’ batting order, built around aggression, suffered some early hiccups, with Matthew Short (15 off 11), Chris Lynn (5 off 7), and Jason Sangha (12 off 15) all falling cheaply before some rearguard action from batter Liam Scott (51 off 32) and all-rounder Jamie Overton (30 off 20) helped them get over the line despite late wickets.

In the bowling department, it was an all-round professional performance in the first innings. Seamers Luke Wood and Henry Thornton provided early breakthroughs before specialist spinner Lloyd Pope (2/25) snatched the momentum with two quick wickets in the middle. In the end, it was the English duo of Wood (3/26) and Overton (2/22) that picked up wickets at regular intervals and restricted the Sixers to a modest 9/158.

The Melbourne Stars, on the other hand, after a productive 2024/25 campaign, wasted no time in making a statement this season and started proceedings with an eight-wicket win over reigning champions Hobart Hurricanes. That dominant display set expectations early and should boost belief heading into future games.

Up top, Tom Rogers, Joe Clarke, and Campbell Kellaway have proven themselves to be competent enough to lead this Stars’ battling line-up. However, it is the middle order that has been the core of this setup, with Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Sam Harper handling responsibility and supported by Tom Curran and Hilton Cartwright.

Stoinis, in particular, was the star of the show in the opening fixture against the Hurricanes. First, he helped restrict the Hurricanes to 158, picking up two wickets for 18 in his three overs, before blasting an unbeaten 62 off 31, reaching the target inside 16 overs.

The Stars’ bowling department is definitely up there as one of the best attacks on paper, with Haris Rauf and veteran Peter Siddle leading the attack. Both Tom Curran and Stoinis provide further depth, while Mitch Swepson and Glenn Maxwell add spin variety.

Looking at the overhead conditions for this game, it should be nice and clear throughout the game. In terms of pitch report, the surface stays even-paced throughout, with dew rarely affecting games historically. Moreover, given the larger square boundaries, batters will target the straight areas.

In terms of predictions, both the Adelaide Strikers and the Melbourne Stars come into this contest with wins. That said, the Stars looked a class apart against the Hurricanes and will take some stopping. Though it is still very early in the season, and teams need time to hit their stride, looking at the squads and current momentum, the Stars seem more equipped to claim victory in this one.

Fantasy XI: Matthew Short, Joe Clarke, Liam Scott, Campbell Kellaway, Marcus Stoinis (c), Jamie Overton (vc), Glenn Maxwell, Tom Curran, Haris Rauf, Luke Wood, Lloyd Pope

Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide 
Winners Prediction: Melbourne Stars