The Melbourne Stars jump into their BBL 2025-26 season with a big test hosting the reigning champs, the Hobart Hurricanes, at the MCG on December 18. The Stars have never lifted the trophy, and this opener is their shot to set things right from the start. On the other side, the Hurricanes roll in with plenty of confidence after edging out the Sydney Thunder in their first match, chasing down the target with just four wickets left in a nail-biter.
The Stars look strong this year. Marcus Stoinis is at the helm, Glenn Maxwell brings the fireworks, and they’ve managed to get Joe Clarke and Tom Curran back from England. Pakistan’s Haris Rauf adds real pace up front. Mitch Swepson, fresh from a long stint with Brisbane Heat, steps in as their new leggie—finally filling the gap Adam Zampa left behind. Hilton Cartwright and Sam Harper round out a deep batting order.
The Hurricanes wasted no time showing what they’re made of. Mitch Owen hammered 32 off 14 balls, Ben McDermott added 38 from 24, and Nikhil Chaudhary chipped in with 41 off 31. When things got tense in the last over, Chris Jordan kept his cool with an unbeaten 16, and Nathan Ellis finished the job with one ball left. Billy Stanlake led the bowling, grabbing three wickets for 34.
Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes Match Preview
The MCG hosted 83 BBL games. Chasing teams have won 47 times, so the numbers favor the team batting second. Teams setting a target have won 36. The average first-innings score is about 154. Early on, the pitch has good bounce and pace, which suits the quicks. Batting gets easier as the match goes on, and spinners find some grip in the middle overs.
In the BBL 2025 matches here, teams chasing have taken two out of three games. The boundaries are long, so big hitters can’t just swing for six every time—they need to run hard. Teams that get to 160-170 have managed to defend those totals, but it’s tough.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes |
| Date | 18th December, 2025 |
| Time | 7:15 PM Local / 1:45 PM IST |
| Venue | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne |
| Tournament | Big Bash League 2025-26 |
Pitch Report
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Balanced surface favors chasing teams |
| Average Score | 154 runs in BBL matches |
| Favours | Teams batting second (62% win rate) |
| Surface | Good bounce early, flattens as the game progresses |
| Wicket Distribution | Pacers dominate early, spinners are practical later |
| Weather Impact | Clear evening conditions |
| Toss Factor | Chasing preferred |
Weather Report
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | High 25°C / Low 15°C |
| Humidity | 55-60% |
| Wind Speed | Light breeze |
| Rain Chance | 0% |
| Overall | Perfect cricket weather |
Toss Prediction
Honestly, the MCG has turned into a chaser’s ground lately. Out of 83 games, teams batting second have come out on top 47 times. Fast bowlers get help early, but once the ball gets older, it’s more batter-friendly. Dew can show up in evening matches, making it tricky for bowlers to grip the ball. If you win the toss, you want to bowl first and chase something in the 160-170 range.
Injury Updates
Melbourne Stars: No major injuries reported. Mark Steketee is unavailable due to injury, but the core squad is fit.
Hobart Hurricanes: Jackson Bird replaces Mac Wright in the squad. Beau Webster and Jake Weatherald are with the Australian Ashes squad and remain unavailable.
Dream11 Team For STA vs HUR
Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes Head-to-Head Records
The Stars and Hurricanes have squared off 21 times in the BBL. The Stars lead the head-to-head 13-8, and at the MCG, they’re up 7-4—so they know how to win at home. But with the Hurricanes coming in as defending champs, recent form is on their side. Last time these two met at the ‘G, though, the Stars cruised to a 40-run victory.
Last Five Matches:
- Stars won by 40 runs, 19-Jan-2025
- Hurricanes won by 7 runs 15-Jan-2024
- Stars won by 7 wickets (with 3 balls remaining) (DLS method) 28-Dec-2023
- Hurricanes won by 2 wickets (with 14 balls remaining) 09-Jan-2023
- Stars won by 38 runs, 16 Dec 2022
Related Reads:
Top Picks For The Match
| Player | Reason |
|---|---|
| Glenn Maxwell (Captain) | Scored 325 runs last BBL season, averages 67.70 against Hurricanes |
| Mitch Owen (Vice Captain) | Hit 32 off 14 in the opening match, scored 452 runs as the top run-scorer last season |
| Tim David | Power hitter, crucial middle-order batter for Hurricanes |
| Haris Rauf | Express pace bowler, took 15 wickets in 10 matches at MCG |
| Marcus Stoinis | The Stars captain averages 45.10 with 451 runs against the Hurricanes |
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