Last Updated on 4 months ago by Charbel Coorey

Melbourne Stars have made such a strong start that there is belief that this could finally be their season. The Stars are the only team to not win a BBL title, and if they keep playing this well, they can go far in this season’s tournament.

After brushing away the Strikers in Adelaide, they are back in action on Boxing Day at the SCG. Marcus Stoinis’ team have a tough test against the Sydney Sixers, who bounced back after losing their opening two matches.

Both teams have in-form players, including Josh Philippe, Jack Edwards, Cambpell Kellaway and Marcus Stoinis, which should make for a cracking contest.

BBL 2025/26 11th Match: SIX vs STA Possible Playing XIs

Sean Abbott is expected to return in this match after missing the start of the BBL season due to a hamstring injury. Todd Murphy is on Ashes duty.

Sydney Sixers: 1. Daniel Hughes, 2. Babar Azam (OS), 3. Josh Philippe (wk), 4. Moises Henriques (c), 5. Jordan Silk, 6. Jack Edwards, 7. Joel Davies, 8. Sean Abbott, 9. Ben Dwarshuis, 10. Jafer Chohan (OS), 11. Kane Richardson

Melbourne Stars are in great form and should stick with the same XI.

Melbourne Stars: 1. Joe Clarke (OS), 2. Sam Harper (wk), 3. Campbell Kellaway, 4. Glenn Maxwell, 5. Marcus Stoinis (c), 6. Hilton Cartwright, 7. Thomas Rogers, 8. Tom Curran (OS), 9. Mitch Swepson, 10. Haris Rauf (OS), 11. Peter Siddle

SCG Pitch Report and Weather

In the last nine BBL matches at the SCG, teams batting second have won five times. The average first innings score in these games is 169.22.

Since the start of 2023, pace bowlers have taken 115 BBL wickets at the SCG at an average of 23.31 and economy rate of 8.39. Spinners have picked up 48 scalps at an average of 28.00 and economy of 7.22.

There is a chance of showers on Boxing Day in Sydney with a top of 21 degrees. However, there should hopefully be a full, uninterrupted game. This match begins at 6:05pm local time, so dew shouldn’t play much of a factor.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for SIX vs STA 2025/26: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• Josh Philippe is in fine touch. He has struck scores of 46 (28) and 96 (57) so far this season. Also, Philippe has the fourth-most runs in SIX-STA matches (412) at an average of 27.47 and strike rate of 141.10.

Key batter picks:

• Babar Azam scored a welcome fifty in the last game against the Thunder. However, the Stars bowling attack is in good touch, so this will arguably be a bigger challenge for all the Sixers batters, particularly Babar.
• Campbell Kellaway has made an impressive start to the season. His 69 runs have come at a strike rate of 140.81.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Marcus Stoinis has made a superb start to the BBL 2025/26 season, producing performances of 2/18 & 62* and 1/23 & 32*. The Stars captain also has strong numbers against the Sixers: 14 inns, 399 runs, avg. 33.25, SR 150. Stoinis has also dismissed Moises Henriques an incredible three times in four balls.
• Jack Edwards is in career-best bowling form. He is the leading wicket-taker so far this season (8) and is fresh off a five-wicket haul against the Thunder.
• Tom Curran will be vital in the powerplay. If the SCG pitch behaves like it did in the Sixers-Strikers game earlier in the tournament, Curran should enjoy some movement with the new ball.

Key bowler picks:

• Sean Abbott has an incredible 80 wickets in 47 T20s at the SCG. He averages 16.7 with a strike rate of 12.1. He also has 22 wickets in 16 matches against the Stars (avg. 20.41, econ. 8.31), including Marcus Stoinis twice in 21 balls (21 runs).
• Ben Dwarshuis has taken 21 wickets in 17 innings against the Stars (avg. 25.81, SR 8.56). His matchup against Sam Harper will make for thrilling viewing given he’s dismissed him three times in 23 balls but has conceded 51 runs.
• Haris Rauf bowls in the crunch overs, particularly at the death. He has eight wickets in five innings at the SCG at an average of 21.5 and strike rate of 13.5.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Glenn Maxwell has a magnificent record against the Sixers, smashing 809 runs at an average of 47.59 and strike rate of 162.12. His record against Sean Abbott could make for interesting viewing: 67 balls, 115 runs, four wickets (SR 171.6).
• Sam Harper will open and is coming off an impactful 36-ball 55 against the Adelaide Strikers. He is selected by 67% of Dream11 players for this match. He is definitely worth considering, but keep in mind he averages just 16.73 in 11 innings against the Sixers.
• Joel Davies is coming off a solid bowling display in the last game (3/24). With no Todd Murphy available, Davies will be one of the Sixers’ more important bowlers on a ground where spin is often economical.
• Daniel Hughes has scored 335 runs against the Stars at an average of 23.93 and strike rate of 126.89. He has a moderate T20 record at the SCG: 537 runs, avg. 22.4, SR 117.
• Peter Siddle has 154 Dream11 points so far this season. The 41-year-old is still touching speeds of 140km/h.

Other Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 24, Sixers 15, Stars 9.
• Sixers lead Stars 7-4 in 11 meetings at the SCG.
• Josh Philippe has 1,064 T20 runs at the SCG at an average of 32.2 and strike rate of 140.
• Moises Henriques vs Melbourne Stars: 23 inns, 515 runs, avg. 27.11, SR 145.07.
• Glenn Maxwell vs Daniel Hughes in T20s: 42 balls, 55 runs, three dismissals.
• Glenn Maxwell vs Moises Henriques in T20s: 44 balls, 60 runs, two dismissals.
• Tom Curran vs Josh Philippe in T20s: 6 balls, 12 runs, one dismissal.
• Peter Siddle vs Josh Philippe in T20s: 39 balls, 45 runs, no dismissal.
• Sean Abbott vs Joe Clarke in T20s: 23 balls, 28 runs, one dismissal.
• Haris Rauf vs Babar Azam in T20s: 56 balls, 77 runs, one dismissal.

BBL 2025/26 11th Match: SIX vs STA Dream11 Prediction Today

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams. 

Option 1:

Option 2:

BBL 2025/26 11th Match: SIX vs STA Match Prediction – Who will win?

This has the makings of a classic. The Stars look very confident and I will back them to get the win.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes for Dream11 free contests in line with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The stats and writer’s views are in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

All statistics and matchups in this article have been verified by ESPNcricinfo, Bigbashboard and Cricmetric.