Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes: Big Bash League 2025-26 – 5th Match Highlights

The Melbourne Stars (MLS) versus Hobart Hurricanes (HBH) match, the 5th of the Big Bash League 2025-26, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) was a real nail-biter. Both teams came ready with solid batting and bowling, making for a super exciting T20 game.

Quick Look at the Match

Melbourne Stars won the coin toss and chose to bowl, sending the Hobart Hurricanes in to bat first. Both teams were eager to take control right away. The Melbourne Cricket Ground, known for holding about 100,000 fans, was buzzing as fans from all over Melbourne rooted for their teams.

Hobart Hurricanes’ Turn at Bat

Hobart Hurricanes scored 158-9 in their 20 overs, thanks to a great performance by Ben McDermott, who hit 69 off 52 balls, including 5 fours and 2 sixes. Tim David helped out with 31 runs off 31 balls, keeping the score ticking over.

Other contributions came from Matthew Wade, who scored 11 runs, and Mitchell Owen, who started with 8 runs. The Hurricanes had some trouble with wickets falling quickly, especially between the 15th and 19th overs when they lost four important players, including Tim David and McDermott. Extras added a total of 17 runs, mostly from wides.

Melbourne Stars’ Bowling

The Melbourne Stars bowled really well during the Hurricanes’ innings. Peter Siddle took 3 wickets for 30 runs, showing how skilled he is in important moments. Haris Rauf and Marcus Stoinis each grabbed 2 wickets, putting pressure on the Hurricanes. Glenn Maxwell getting Mitchell Owen out early set the tone for MLS’s controlled bowling.

Wicket Action and Partnerships

The Hurricanes’ innings saw players coming and going. Wickets fell at scores of 9, 10, 36, 119, and 140, showing times of steady play followed by sudden collapses. Good partnerships included Ben McDermott and Tim David adding 21 runs, and Matthew Wade and Chris Jordan sharing an 11-run partnership, which brought some stability toward the end.

Powerplay Breakdown

During the powerplay overs, the Hurricanes scored 28 runs in the first four overs, with Tim David and Ben McDermott playing carefully. The batting powerplay from overs 15.1 to 17 added 22 runs but also led to two key wickets, which slowed things down as the lower order tried to speed up the score.

Melbourne Stars’ Turn to Bat

The Melbourne Stars chased down the score in 16 overs, ending at 159-2. Marcus Stoinis played an amazing innings, remaining unbeaten at 62 off 31 balls, with 7 fours and 2 sixes. Campbell Kellaway supported him with 41 not out off 27 balls, making sure the Stars kept a good pace.

Thomas Fraser Rogers scored 30 runs off 18 balls, and Joe Clarke added 20, providing a good start and letting Stoinis and Kellaway finish strong. The chase was managed at a rate of 9.94 runs per over, reflecting aggressive batting and smart shot selection.

Hobart Hurricanes’ Bowling

The Hobart Hurricanes tried to defend their 158 runs, but couldn’t get enough wickets. Rishad Hossain took 2 wickets, while other bowlers, including Riley Meredith, Nathan Ellis, and Chris Jordan, bowled economically but couldn’t stop the runs. Extras helped the Stars, allowing them to keep a high run rate.

Wicket Action and Key Partnerships

During the Melbourne Stars’ innings, Thomas Fraser Rogers and Joe Clarke had a 46-run partnership, providing early momentum. After Clarke was out, Stoinis and Kellaway put together an unbeaten 101-run partnership, sealing the match for MLS and keeping cool under pressure.

Venue and Conditions

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) was a great place for T20 cricket, with its big field and stadium creating a thrilling atmosphere. The Members End and Great Southern Stand End gave fans great views. The pitch helped both fast and spin bowlers, but the batters adapted, leading to some high-quality shots.

Umpires and Match Officials

The match umpires were Donovan Koch and Sam Nogajski, with Eloise Sheridan as the third umpire and Bob Parry as the match referee. Their fair and professional officiating made sure the game ran smoothly, and DRS decisions were accurate, maintaining the game’s integrity.

Team Squads and Support Staff

Both teams had strong squads. Marcus Stoinis led the Melbourne Stars, with key players like Glenn Maxwell, Sam Harper, and Peter Siddle. Nathan Ellis captained the Hobart Hurricanes, with good contributions from Ben McDermott, Tim David, and Matthew Wade. Both teams had experienced support staff, with Peter Moores coaching the Stars and Jeff Vaughan guiding the Hurricanes.

Points Table

This win was the Melbourne Stars’ second in a row in the Big Bash League 2025-26, putting them at the top of the points table with 2 points and a net run rate of +2.037. The Hobart Hurricanes are in fifth place with 2 points but a negative net run rate of -0.906, suggesting they need to improve in upcoming games.

Match Analysis

The game showed how important all-round performance is in T20 cricket. The Melbourne Stars’ good balance and strong batting made the difference, while the Hobart Hurricanes relied too much on individual performances like Ben McDermott’s. The match showed the value of partnerships, managing the powerplay, and controlled bowling in this format.

Marcus Stoinis’ all-round performance, along with Campbell Kellaway’s finishing, made the Stars’ win solid. Peter Siddle’s bowling and Haris Rauf’s pace kept the Hurricanes in the game, though early wickets hurt their chase.

Bottom Line

The Melbourne Stars versus Hobart Hurricanes match was a thrilling T20 game, with aggressive batting, disciplined bowling, and smart strategy. The Melbourne Stars won by 8 wickets, showing their strength early in the tournament and boosting their confidence for future games. Fans can look forward to more exciting performances as the league moves forward.

For all the match details, stats, and live updates, keep an eye on the Big Bash League 2025-26 coverage and follow your favorite teams and players as they battle it out for the trophy.