Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers Prediction & Match Preview – BBL 27th Match
Match summary
Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers BBL 2025-26 preview from the MCG: form, key players, Sam Curran’s debut, pitch and weather, scores and our pick.
Match details
| Match | Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers, 27th Match |
|---|---|
| Series | Big Bash League 2025-26 |
| Date | 8 Jan 2026 |
| Start time | 8:15 am GMT / 7:15 pm local |
| Venue | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne |
| Status | Played |
| Our pick | Melbourne Stars |
| Toss pick | Sydney Sixers |
Matches in this series
Match preview
Melbourne Stars began the season with four straight wins but have since lost twice, and they remain third. Sam Harper has been the backbone of their batting with 251 runs in six matches at a strike rate of 161. The middle order is built around Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Campbell Kellaway, with Tom Curran and Hilton Cartwright providing depth.
Haris Rauf and Peter Siddle have claimed 24 wickets between them, Mitch Swepson handles spin, and Curran and Stoinis have combined for 17 wickets in support.
Sydney Sixers have found some momentum with consecutive wins that lifted them to fourth. Josh Philippe has 196 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 153, Daniel Hughes and Babar Azam have each passed 130, and Moises Henriques and Jack Edwards have both crossed 90. The arrival of Sam Curran for his BBL debut is a major boost. Edwards leads the bowling with 11 wickets at 7.36, Joel Davies and Ben Dwarshuis have shared 15, and Hayden Kerr has four wickets in his last three matches. The Sixers still lack control in the middle overs and a strong finish at the death.
The MCG offers a true, sporting surface with something for both batters and bowlers. Seamers can use bounce and carry from the slightly grassed pitch early, so disciplined bowling is key in the first few overs. As the game progresses the surface flattens out, letting batters play more freely. Spinners get limited help but can contain runs. Patience, smart shot selection and consistent bowling are rewarded.
The evening in Melbourne looks pleasant around the 7:15 pm start: warm and mostly dry, with temperatures in the low 20s °C, partly cloudy skies and little threat of rain. A light breeze is expected, with temperatures cooling later in the night.
Expected scores
| Innings | Predicted | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| First innings | 165–175 | – |
| Second innings | 155–170 | – |
Melbourne Stars
The Stars have the strongest pace attack in Haris Rauf and Peter Siddle and a prolific opener in Sam Harper, and they are the more settled side at home.
Toss pick: Sydney Sixers
FAQ
Who is expected to win Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers?
Our preview picks Melbourne Stars, who are third after four straight wins to start the season, though the Sixers have won two in a row.
Who is making his BBL debut for Sydney Sixers?
Sam Curran is set to debut after an unbeaten 74 at number four in the ILT20 final for Desert Vipers, which won him the Player of the Match award.
Who is the Stars’ leading batter?
Sam Harper has scored 251 runs from six matches at a strike rate of 161.
Probable XIs
Expected line-ups from our preview. c = captain, wk = wicketkeeper.
Melbourne Stars
- Sam Harperwk
- Thomas Rogers
- Campbell Kellaway
- Blake Macdonald
- Marcus Stoinisc
- Glenn Maxwell
- Hilton Cartwright
- Tom Curran
- Mitchell Swepson
- Haris Rauf
- Peter Siddle
Sydney Sixers
- Daniel Hughes
- Babar Azam
- Josh Philippewk
- Moises Henriquesc
- Jordan Silk
- Jack Edwards
- Joel Davies
- Ben Dwarshuis
- Sean Abbott
- Sam Curran
- Hayden Kerr
Head-to-head
Earlier meetings of Melbourne Stars and Sydney Sixers that we covered.