All-round Stoinis powers Melbourne Stars to victory in opening game

The Melbourne Stars kicked off their BBL 2025/26 campaign with a convincing eight-wicket win over the Hobart Hurricanes at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. After restricting the Hurricanes to 158/9, the Stars tracked the total down with four overs to spare.

After being asked to bat first, the Hurricanes were off to a rough start as they lost both Mitch Owen and Rehan Ahmed early. Nikhil Chaudhary was dismissed soon after in the sixth over, leaving them reeling at 36/3. An 83-run partnership between Ben McDermott and Tim David held their innings together but disciplined bowling from the Stars meant that they weren't able to dominate.

Just when the Hurricanes hoped to kick off to a powerful finish following a big partnership, they lost Tim David for a run-a-ball 31 in the 16th over. McDermott's wicket in the 18th over triggered a collapse as they went from 140/4 to 157/9.

In reply, Thomas Rogers was off to a brisk start striking two boundaries in the opening over. Both openers continued to find boundaries and put up a 46-run stand before Rishad Hossain removed both of them in the space of three overs. The Stars would suffer no further damage in their cruise towards victory.

Marcus Stoinis was severe on the bowling the moment he arrived at the crease and smacked seven fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 62 off 31. Meanwhile, Campbell Kellaway provided stable support and finished with 41 not-out off 27. The win was sealed by Stoinis who struck 22 runs off the 16th over bowled by Chris Jordan.

Brief Scores: Hobart Hurricanes 158/9 in 20 overs (Ben McDermott 69, Tim David 31; Peter Siddle 3-30) lost to Melbourne Stars 159/2 in 16 overs (Marcus Stoinis 62*, Campbell Kellaway 41*; Rishad Hossain 2-33) by 8 wickets