145/3 (17.3)
CR : 8.29
144/10 (20.0)
CR : 7.20
Melbourne Stars won by 7 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Sam Harper
110(60)
17.1
0
Abbott to S Harper
Much fuller and around off. Harper gets forward and eases it down to cover. He wanted a single but was sent back.
17.2
0
Abbott to S Harper
Sliding in, full and on the pads. Harper gets forward and flicks it to mid-wicket.
17.3
1
Abbott to S Harper
DONE AND DUSTED! THE MELBOURNE STARS HAVE DEFEATED THE SYDNEY SIXERS BY 7 WICKETS WITH 15 BALLS TO SPARE!! On the fuller side and around leg. Harper backs away and swats it to the right of mid on for a single to seal the deal. AN EMPATHIC WIN FOR THE VISITORS AND HARPER WAS THE CHIEF CONSTRUCTOR!!
Over 18
Melbourne Stars 145/3
Sam Harper110(60)
Tom Curran2(3)
Sean Anthony Abbott1-30(3.3)
MLS won by 7 wickets
3:37 PM IST, 9:07 PM Local Time: That’s it. A hat-trick of wins for Melbourne Stars in Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26. They retain their top position in the points table by beating Sydney Sixers comprehensively by seven wickets at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The Sixers suffer their third loss this season.
Chasing 145, the Stars lost Joe Clarke on a silver duck in the very first over. Campbell Kellaway joined Sam Harper who came out all guns blazing and gave his side a flying start. The duo put 54 for the second wicket before Kellaway fell on 14 in the seventh over. Harper kept going strong and brought up his fifty in just 28 balls.
Jonathan Merlo at four supported Harper nicely as both kept the Sixers at bay, who failed to build any kind of pressure. Harper kept finding boundaries and brought up his maiden BBL ton in just 50 balls. Merlo departed on 14 as the 84-run stand was broken by Joel Davies in the 17th over.
Tom Curran (2*) joined Harper and both remained unbeaten to take the Stars across the line in 17.3 overs. Harper’s 60-ball knock comprised 12 fours and six maximums as his unbeaten 110 helped the Stars chase down 145 with 15 balls to spare. For the Sixers, Joel Davies (2/16) and Sean Abbott (1/30) entered the wickets column but it wasn't enough as they failed to defend the total.
Earlier in the day, the Sixers were asked to bat first on a tricky surface. They lost Babar Azam (2) and Josh Philippe (10) cheaply. Daniel Hughes looked solid at the top of the order and played some magnificent strokes. He held the innings nicely and brought up his fifty.
The Stars bowled beautifully in the middle overs, keeping things tight. Hughes scored 60 off 42 before falling in the 13th over. The Sixers lost all the momentum after Hughes’ departure. Their batters failed to get going and regular wickets meant that the Sixers got bundled out on 144 on the final ball of their innings.
For the Stars, Tom Curran (3/26) and Peter Siddle (3/23) bowled beautifully and picked up three wickets each. Marcus Stoinis (2/25) and Haris Rauf (1/37) were the other wicket-takers, with the latter being on the expensive side. Sam Harper then smashed a brilliant ton as the Stars chased down the total in 17.3 overs.
Chasing 145, the Stars lost Joe Clarke on a silver duck in the very first over. Campbell Kellaway joined Sam Harper who came out all guns blazing and gave his side a flying start. The duo put 54 for the second wicket before Kellaway fell on 14 in the seventh over. Harper kept going strong and brought up his fifty in just 28 balls.
Jonathan Merlo at four supported Harper nicely as both kept the Sixers at bay, who failed to build any kind of pressure. Harper kept finding boundaries and brought up his maiden BBL ton in just 50 balls. Merlo departed on 14 as the 84-run stand was broken by Joel Davies in the 17th over.
Tom Curran (2*) joined Harper and both remained unbeaten to take the Stars across the line in 17.3 overs. Harper’s 60-ball knock comprised 12 fours and six maximums as his unbeaten 110 helped the Stars chase down 145 with 15 balls to spare. For the Sixers, Joel Davies (2/16) and Sean Abbott (1/30) entered the wickets column but it wasn't enough as they failed to defend the total.
Earlier in the day, the Sixers were asked to bat first on a tricky surface. They lost Babar Azam (2) and Josh Philippe (10) cheaply. Daniel Hughes looked solid at the top of the order and played some magnificent strokes. He held the innings nicely and brought up his fifty.
The Stars bowled beautifully in the middle overs, keeping things tight. Hughes scored 60 off 42 before falling in the 13th over. The Sixers lost all the momentum after Hughes’ departure. Their batters failed to get going and regular wickets meant that the Sixers got bundled out on 144 on the final ball of their innings.
For the Stars, Tom Curran (3/26) and Peter Siddle (3/23) bowled beautifully and picked up three wickets each. Marcus Stoinis (2/25) and Haris Rauf (1/37) were the other wicket-takers, with the latter being on the expensive side. Sam Harper then smashed a brilliant ton as the Stars chased down the total in 17.3 overs.
Player of the Match: Sam Harper
Sam Harper (Player of the Match): "Thank you very much. I had a lot of fun out there. Timing was probably the biggest thing for me tonight. It wasn’t an easy pitch, as we saw during our bowling innings, so I knew it was going to be a challenge. I was just trying to play good cricket shots, and sometimes you just get one of those nights where everything comes off.
As for the haircut at the end - it got a bit warm out there! My wife and I have been working away, my brother’s been cutting my hair, and our neighbour is actually a hairdresser. We had a bit of fun with her on Christmas Day, so I don’t know if it’s looking great, but I’m definitely feeling hot.
Looking ahead, it’s nice to be sitting at 3-0 after last season when we were 0-5 and heading home early. We’ve got a long bus ride tomorrow, so the boys will enjoy each other’s company, and then we’ll reset and go again.
Playing in Canberra on Sunday night is exciting - it’s a wicket I really enjoy batting on, especially coming up against the Thunder. I wouldn’t say there’s been a massive change in the group this year. The personnel are largely the same, and the coaching staff has been consistent.
T20 cricket can be strange like that - last year it felt like everything went against us. James and I were even talking about it earlier today. So it’s really nice to be on the other side of it now.
Really appreciate the support tonight. The crowd was loud, even though most of them were in magenta, and it was great to put on a show for them.”
As for the haircut at the end - it got a bit warm out there! My wife and I have been working away, my brother’s been cutting my hair, and our neighbour is actually a hairdresser. We had a bit of fun with her on Christmas Day, so I don’t know if it’s looking great, but I’m definitely feeling hot.
Looking ahead, it’s nice to be sitting at 3-0 after last season when we were 0-5 and heading home early. We’ve got a long bus ride tomorrow, so the boys will enjoy each other’s company, and then we’ll reset and go again.
Playing in Canberra on Sunday night is exciting - it’s a wicket I really enjoy batting on, especially coming up against the Thunder. I wouldn’t say there’s been a massive change in the group this year. The personnel are largely the same, and the coaching staff has been consistent.
T20 cricket can be strange like that - last year it felt like everything went against us. James and I were even talking about it earlier today. So it’s really nice to be on the other side of it now.
Really appreciate the support tonight. The crowd was loud, even though most of them were in magenta, and it was great to put on a show for them.”
That brings an end to our coverage of this game. Remember, it's a double-header Boxing Day in BBL 2025-26. The clash between Perth Scorchers and Hobart Hurricanes isn't far away. Do switch tabs to follow it.
For now, this is Akshay Bhide, signing off, on behalf of my co-commentator Dev Rajawat and scorer Manish Bishnoi. Until next time, cheers and good bye.
For now, this is Akshay Bhide, signing off, on behalf of my co-commentator Dev Rajawat and scorer Manish Bishnoi. Until next time, cheers and good bye.