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

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

For the game, here we present our preview and predictions.

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

The Stars will look to start strong in familiar home conditions. Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis headline their destructive middle order with proven match-winning pedigree, giving them the ability to control momentum through the middle and late overs, with their power-hitting and bowling capabilities maintaining 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 Stars’ 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, along with Tom Curran and Liam Hatcher’s variations, will offer depth and flexibility across all the phases.

That said, the Stars have still not addressed their top-order concerns from the previous season. They were the worst side last season in terms of top-order batting, averaging just 19.57 and striking at 124. With little change in player profiles this time around, we may be in for another year of the Stars relying too much on their middle and lower orders. 

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

Having won the toss at Bellerive Oval, the Hurricanes asked the visitors to bat first. Both Matthew Gilkes and Sam Konstas gave the Thunder a solid platform, but it was tall seamer Billy Stanlake who had the last laugh with figures of 3/34 from his four overs. Cameron Bancroft was the star with the bat for the Thunder, scoring 61 off 41 to propel his side to 180/6 at the end of 20 overs. Both Riley Meredith (0/45 off four overs) and Nathan Ellis (1/39 off four overs) were taken to the cleaners for the hosts, especially at the death.

In response, 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) threatened to produce a repeat of last season’s final before some quality bowling by the Thunder’s spin department took the game to the last over. English all-rounder Chris Jordan scored a valuable 16* off 13 after registering bowling figures of 2/36 in his four overs, which earned him the Man of the Match award. 

Looking ahead to this fixture, while the Melbourne Stars boast quality depth across all departments, the Hobart Hurricanes have the benefit of having played a game already, with their key batters having spent time at the crease to score runs at a decent rate and close 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