The Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Stars are two well-established franchises in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL), often producing entertaining and competitive T20 cricket matchups. Their clashes bring together a blend of explosive batting, tactical bowling, and crowd-pleasing finishes that define the excitement of BBL cricket.
Recent & Current Season Context (BBL 2025–26)
In the 2025–26 BBL season, the Hurricanes entered as the defending champions, aiming to retain their title and set the pace early in the campaign. The Stars, meanwhile, were looking to kickstart their season strongly after opening with a loss, banking on experienced players like Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis to drive performance.
The latest meeting in this season (Match 5 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground) saw the Stars bat first following the toss, with both teams seeking momentum in the early stages of the competition.
Head-to-Head & Historical Highlights
Across recent seasons, the head-to-head battles have swung between both sides:
- The Melbourne Stars edged a memorable encounter in January 2025, posting 219/5 and defeating the Hurricanes by 40 runs at the MCG, powered by a blistering 76* from Glenn Maxwell.
- Historically, Stars have won four of their last six BBL meetings against the Hurricanes, including several strong performances at home, though Hobart has remained competitive.
This seesawing head-to-head underscores how both teams can dominate under the right conditions.
Key Matches from Recent BBL Seasons
Across the rivalry:
- January 2025 (BBL 2024–25): Melbourne Stars showcased batting firepower, scoring 219 and restricting Hobart to 179 — a 40-run Stars win.
- December 2023: The Stars secured a D/L-adjusted win in Hobart, reaching a revised target comfortably thanks to strong batting from Glenn Maxwell.
- Other encounters: Results have varied in other seasons, with Hurricanes triumphing in some close contests and Stars dominating in others, making this a competitive and entertaining fixture for fans.
Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) Rivalry
This matchup isn’t limited to just the men’s competition — the WBBL versions of the Hurricanes and Stars have also produced compelling battles:
- In December 2025, the Hobart Hurricanes Women delivered a commanding performance, winning by 81 runs (DLS) over the Melbourne Stars Women as Danni Wyatt-Hodge starred with 71 runs and Molly Strano picked up key wickets.
- Earlier in the same season, the Melbourne Stars Women prevailed in a separate WBBL clash, winning by 37 runs thanks to a composed batting display and disciplined bowling.
These contrasting results reflect the closely matched nature of the teams in the women’s competition.
Tactical Approaches & Player Spotlights
Hobart Hurricanes
- Known for aggressive batting at the top and incisive bowling, especially from quicks like Nathan Ellis.
- As defending champions, they bring confidence and experience from deep in the previous season.
Melbourne Stars
- Often rely on big hitters like Glenn Maxwell, whose ability to change a game in a few overs makes the Stars dangerous.
- Historically, they’ve struggled with slow starts early in tournaments but can be formidable once in rhythm.
Looking Ahead
The Hurricanes vs Stars rivalry remains a standout fixture in the BBL calendar — balancing bat vs ball, tactical depth, and individual brilliance. With each team capable of producing match-winning performances, their meeting is always one to watch for fans of high-octane T20 cricket.
