BBL 2025-26: Match 5, STA vs HUR Match Prediction – Who will win today’s BBL match between Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes?

The Match No. 5 of Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 will be played between the Melbourne Stars (STA) and the Hobart Hurricanes (HUR) at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday, December 18. The Stars, who finished fourth in the previous season, are yet to kickstart their campaign.

Ths Stars have announced their 14-member squad for their tournament-opening clash, with Marcus Stoinis leading a power-packed line-up. Their unit will aim at getting off to a good start at their home venue. They possess a balanced squad capable of dismantling any opposition on their day, and will be hoping to get off to a winning start to their BBL campaign.

Hobart Hurricanes, the defending champions, got their campaign up and running off a four-wicket victory against the Sydney Thunder, as they clinched the last-over thriller. Chris Jordan won the Player of the Match award for his efforts with bat and ball. The side will be hoping for yet another two points with the clash on Thursday.

Match Details

Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne Pitch Report

In the 28 T20I matches that have been played at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground so far, teams batting second have managed to win 16 times. The average first innings score is 140. However, a lot more than that will most likely have to be scored for the target to be an above-par one. The pitch assists bowlers better, but once the surface wears out, batting becomes relatively easier at the ‘G’.  

STA vs HUR Head-to-Head Record in T20s

STA vs HUR — Predicted Playing 11s

Melbourne Stars

Joe Clarke, Sam Harper (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis (c), Hilton Cartwright, Tom Curran, Campbell Kellaway, Haris Rauf, Peter Siddle, Mitch Swepson, Tom Rogers

Hobart Hurricanes

Mitchell Owen, Nikhil Chaudhary, Rehan Ahmed, Ben McDermott, Tim David, Matthew Wade (wk), Chris Jordan, Nathan Ellis (c), Rishad Hossain, Riley Meredith, Billy Stanlake

STA vs HUR — Probable Top Performers

Probable Best Batter — Mitchell Owen

Mitchell Owen looked to be in good nick during his brief stay at the crease in the Hurricanes’ tournament-opening match. The top-order batter can be anticipated on providing another fiery start while batting up top and potentially play a big knock too.

Probable Best Bowler — Haris Rauf

Although in a different format, Haris Rauf was amongst the wickets in the three-match ODI series played against Sri Lanka last month. Rauf can be expected to be a threat to the opposition during the powerplay as well as the death.

Today’s Match Prediction: Team bowling first to win the match