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The business end of the Big Bash League 2025-26 has arrived. It is a win or go home scenario at the Bellerive Oval (Ninja Stadium) as the defending champions, Hobart Hurricanes, host the Melbourne Stars in the Knockout final.
The Hurricanes finished the regular season in 3rd place but enter this clash bruised by significant personnel losses. Meanwhile, the Stars (4th) arrive with a full-strength squad, looking to settle the score after Hobart’s dominance in recent years.
In a massive blow to the hosts, regular skipper and death-bowling specialist Nathan Ellis has been ruled out due to an injury sustained against the Heat. Ben McDermott takes the reins. The Hurricanes also lose the services of English sensation Rehan Ahmed (international duty) and Jake Weatherald. The Bangladeshi leg-spinner, Rishad Hossain has been a revelation this season and will need to lead the spin department in Rehan’s absence. Beau Webster, The former Stars player has been in peak form against his old side, offering a dual threat with his towering height and middle-order power.
Unlike their opponents, the Stars have named an unchanged 14-man squad. They are riding high on the form of Haris Rauf and Peter Siddle, who have combined for 34 wickets this season. While The Big Show Glenn Maxwell has had a quiet tournament by his standards, he remains the most dangerous player on the field in high-pressure knockout games. Sam Harper, currently sitting 3rd on the Golden Bat leaderboard, his explosive starts at the top of the order could take the game away from Hobart in the Powerplay.
HH vs MS, BBL|15 Knockout: Match details
- Date and Time: January 21 (Wednesday); 02:00 pm IST / 8:30 am GMT / 7:30 pm Local
- Venue: Bellerive Oval, Hobart
HH vs MS, Head-to-Head Record in BBL
Matches played: 23 | Melbourne Stars won: 15 | Hobart Hurricanes won: 08 | No result/Tied: 0
Bellerive Oval Pitch Report
The Bellerive Oval pitch for this Knockout clash is expected to be a balanced surface that offers something for everyone. Historically, it is a batting-friendly deck where the ball comes onto the bat nicely, evidenced by an average first-innings score of 174 in recent BBL outings. However, the evening sea breeze in Hobart typically assists new-ball bowlers with early swing and movement. While pacers find joy with extra bounce and carry, the surface can slow down as the game progresses, making variations and slower balls crucial. Spinners may struggle for turn, but dew could become a deciding factor for the side bowling second.
Squads:
Melbourne Stars: Thomas Fraser Rogers, Sam Harper (wk), Joe Clarke, Campbell Kellaway, Marcus Stoinis (c), Hilton Cartwright, Glenn Maxwell, Tom Curran, Mitchell Swepson, Haris Rauf, Peter Siddle, Liam Hatcher, Blake Macdonald, Hamish McKenzie
Hobart Hurricanes: Tim Ward, Mitchell Owen, Beau Webster, Ben McDermott (c), Nikhil Chaudhary, Matthew Wade (wk), Chris Jordan, Jackson Bird, Rishad Hossain, Riley Meredith, Billy Stanlake, Will Prestwidge, Charlie Wakim, Macalister Wright
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HH vs MS, BBL|15 Knockout: Today’s Match Prediction
Case 1:
- Melbourne Stars wins the toss and bowls first
- Hobart Hurricanes’ powerplay score: 50-60
- Hobart Hurricanes’ total score: 180-190
Case 2:
- Hobart Hurricanes wins the toss and bowls first
- Melbourne Stars’ powerplay score: 40-50
- Melbourne Stars’ total score: 160-170
Match result: Team batting second to win the contest.