The Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 reaches a crucial phase as Hobart Hurricanes (HUR) face Melbourne Stars (STA) in the Knockout match at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart, on Wednesday, January 21. With a spot in the next round on the line, both teams will be under immense pressure to deliver their best performance.
Match Details: HUR vs STA
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Series | Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 |
| Match | Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars, Knockout |
| Date | Wednesday, 21 January 2026 |
| Time | 02:00 PM IST |
| Toss Time | 01:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Bellerive Oval |
| City | Hobart |
| Live Streaming | FanCode, JioHotstar |
Match Preview
The Hobart Hurricanes wrapped up the league stage in third place, winning six of their ten matches. However, they head into this high-stakes encounter without their regular skipper Nathan Ellis, who has been ruled out due to injury. The responsibility will fall on experienced campaigners like Ben McDermott, Matthew Wade, and Beau Webster to lead from the front, while the bowling unit will look to maintain discipline in challenging conditions.
The Melbourne Stars secured the final Knockout spot after finishing the league phase with six wins from ten matches. Their campaign began in dominant fashion with four straight victories, but a dip in form during the latter half saw them lose four of their final six games. Led by Marcus Stoinis, the Stars will be keen to rediscover consistency and produce a complete performance when it matters the most.
Head-to-Head Record: HUR vs STA
| Team | Matches Won |
|---|---|
| Hobart Hurricanes (HUR) | 8 |
| Melbourne Stars (STA) | 15 |
| No Result | 0 |
The Stars hold a clear historical edge over the Hurricanes.
Also Read: RJW vs CHR BPL 2025-26, Pitch Report, Head to Head, Playing 11, AI Prediction
Weather & Pitch Report: Bellerive Oval, Hobart
- Weather Report: The weather forecast suggests a 55% chance of rain, which could interrupt play. The temperature is expected to hover around 15°C with high humidity levels between 80–85%.
- Pitch Report: Pitch-wise, Bellerive Oval has been a decent batting surface this season. In BBL 2025-26, the average first-innings score here is around 182. Teams batting first have won three out of five matches, but captains often prefer to bowl first to assess conditions and target while chasing.
Probable Playing 11
Hobart Hurricanes (HUR) Playing 11
1. Tim Ward, 2. Mitchell Owen, 3. Beau Webster, 4. Ben McDermott (C), 5. Nikhil Chaudhary, 6. Matthew Wade (WK), 7. Rehan Ahmed, 8. Chris Jordan, 9. Rishad Hossain, 10. Riley Meredith, 11. Billy Stanlake
Melbourne Stars (STA) Playing 11
1. Thomas Rogers, 2. Sam Harper (WK), 3. Joe Clarke, 4. Campbell Kellaway, 5. Marcus Stoinis (C), 6. Hilton Cartwright, 7. Glenn Maxwell, 8. Tom Curran, 9. Mitchell Swepson, 10. Haris Rauf, 11. Peter Siddle
Who Will Win Today’s Match? (AI Prediction)
This knockout contest is expected to be closely fought. Hobart Hurricanes have shown consistency throughout the season but will miss the leadership and bowling of Nathan Ellis. Melbourne Stars, despite recent inconsistencies, possess greater experience in pressure games and boast a powerful all-round lineup.
If rain interruptions come into play, adaptability and depth will be key—areas where the Stars slightly edge ahead.
AI Match Prediction: Melbourne Stars are marginal favourites to defeat Hobart Hurricanes and advance further in the BBL 2025-26.
Also Read: DC-W vs MI-W WPL 2026, Pitch Report, Head to Head, Playing 11, AI Prediction
Disclaimer
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