Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars Prediction & Match Preview – BBL 2025-26
Match summary
Sydney Sixers host unbeaten Melbourne Stars at the SCG in BBL 2025-26. Our preview covers form, likely XIs, pitch, weather and a match verdict.
Match details
| Match | Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars, 11th Match |
|---|---|
| Series | Big Bash League 2025-26 |
| Date | 26 Dec 2025 |
| Start time | 7:05 am GMT / 6:05 pm local |
| Venue | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney |
| Status | Played |
| Our pick | Melbourne Stars |
Matches in this series
Match preview
Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars meet at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the 11th match of the 2025-26 Big Bash League, an early-evening start at 6:05 pm local time.
The Sixers have not hit top gear, with one win and two losses from three games, though a recent victory over Sydney Thunder lifted them to third. Josh Philippe has scored 170 runs in three innings, Jack Edwards has made 81 at a strike rate of 184, and Babar Azam has added 69. Daniel Hughes, Moises Henriques and Jordan Silk have contributed useful cameos. Edwards leads the bowlers with eight wickets, while Joel Davies and Ben Dwarshuis have shared seven, but support has been patchy.
The Stars have made a flying start, winning both opening games to sit top of the table. Thomas Fraser Rogers, Joe Clarke and Campbell Kellaway have provided solid starts of 30-plus at a strike rate of around 130, with Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Sam Harper controlling the middle. Stoinis leads the run charts with 94 runs from two matches at 177.35. Haris Rauf and Peter Siddle have taken nine wickets between them, and Mitch Swepson adds spin variety.
Our preview favours the Stars to keep their momentum going.
The SCG usually offers a balanced contest between bat and ball. Fast bowlers can get swing and seam early, helped by the grass cover and coastal conditions, before the pitch becomes more batting-friendly and stroke-makers score freely once settled. Spinners can find assistance later as the surface dries. Overall it is a true wicket with something for both sides.
Early-evening conditions should be mild to warm, at around 20–23 °C and cooling gradually. Skies are likely to be partly cloudy with only a slight chance of a brief shower, and a light to moderate breeze is expected.
Expected scores
| Innings | Predicted | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| First innings | 160–175 | – |
| Second innings | 150–170 | – |
Melbourne Stars
The Stars have won both of their games to lead the table, with Stoinis in strong form, while the Sixers have won just one of their first three.
FAQ
Where is Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars?
The 11th match of BBL 2025-26 is at the Sydney Cricket Ground on 26 December 2025, starting at 6:05 pm local time.
Who does our preview favour?
We pick Melbourne Stars, who have won both of their opening games.
Who has been the Sixers’ best performer so far?
Josh Philippe, with 170 runs from three innings at an average of 56.66 and a strike rate of 165.
Probable XIs
Expected line-ups from our preview. c = captain, wk = wicketkeeper.
Sydney Sixers
- Daniel Hughes
- Babar Azam
- Josh Philippewk
- Moises Henriquesc
- Jordan Silk
- Jack Edwards
- Ben Dwarshuis
- Joel Davies
- Todd Murphy
- Jafer Chohan
- Kane Richardson
Melbourne Stars
- Joe Clarke
- Thomas Fraser Rogers
- Campbell Kellaway
- Marcus Stoinisc
- Glenn Maxwell
- Sam Harperwk
- Hilton Cartwright
- Tom Curran
- Mitchell Swepson
- Haris Rauf
- Peter Siddle