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 chased the total down with four overs to spare.

After being asked to bat first, the Hurricanes were off to a rough start, losing Mitch Owen, Rehan Ahmed, and Nikhil Chaudhary early to be 36/3. An 83-run partnership between Ben McDermott and Tim David held the innings together, but disciplined bowling from the Stars prevented them from dominating. Just as the Hurricanes looked to accelerate, they lost Tim David for 31 in the 16th over. McDermott's wicket in the 18th over triggered a collapse from 140/4 to 157/9.

In reply, openers Thomas Rogers and Sam Harper put on a 46-run stand before Rishad Hossain removed both within three overs. The Stars suffered no further setbacks in their cruise to victory.

Marcus Stoinis was severe from the moment he arrived, smashing seven fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 62 off 31 balls. Campbell Kellaway provided stable support with 41 not out off 27. Stoinis sealed the win by striking 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.