Last Updated on 4 months ago by Charbel Coorey

The defending champions Hobart Hurricanes are back in action in the 5th match of the BBL 2025/26 season. They take on the Melbourne Stars, who have enjoyed some great moments against the Hurricanes at the MCG.

Hobart’s title last season means the Stars are the only team not to win a BBL title. Surely this has to increase the motivation for Marcus Stoinis’ team. They thumped the Hurricanes by 40 runs last season, and anything similar will be the perfect start to this campaign.

The key question for the Stars, however, is whether they still rely too much on Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis. Both have excellent numbers against the Hurricanes, but they need others to contribute. Also, whether the Stars have the bowling depth to keep Hobart in check remains to be seen.

BBL 2025/26 5th Match: STA vs HUR Possible Playing XIs

Melbourne Stars have named their squad. Overseas players Joe Clarke, Tom Curran and Haris Rauf are available. Where the likes of Marcus Stoinis and Sam Harper bat will be interesting to see.

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

Jackson Bird has replaced Mac Wright in the Hurricanes squad. The defending champions could stick with the same team that defeated Sydney Thunder on Tuesday.

Hobart Hurricanes: 1. Mitch Owen, 2. Nikhil Chaudhary, 3. Ben McDermott, 4. Tim David, 5. Matthew Wade (wk), 6. Rehan Ahmed (OS), 7. Chris Jordan (OS), 8. Nathan Ellis (c), 9. Rishad Hossain (OS), 10. Riley Meredith, 11. Billy Stanlake

MCG Pitch Report and Weather

Chasing teams have won five of the past eight BBL matches at the MCG. The average first innings score is 155.75 at a run rate of 8.13. Chasing teams have scored at 8.50 per over.

In the BBL since the start of 2023, pace bowlers have taken 86 wickets at an average of 24.84 and economy of 8.02. Spinners have fared well, taking 50 wickets at an average of 24.32 and lower economy of 6.92.

A very hot and clear day is forecast in Melbourne with a top of 36 degrees. Temperatures will remain around 32 degrees at 7:15pm local time.

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

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• Ben McDermott began the season in positive fashion, striking 38 off 24 balls against the Thunder. He has a good record against the Stars: 14 inns, 466 runs, avg. 35.85, SR 133.52.
• Joe Clarke will likely open the batting or bat in the top four at the very least. He has scored 192 runs against the Hurricanes at an average of 64.00 and strike rate of 144.36.

Key batter picks:

• Tim David has belted 271 BBL runs since December 2024 at an average of 38.7 and strike rate of 178.3. However, he averages just 16.57 against the Stars (nine games) and 16.44 at the MCG (nine games). Can he turn these numbers around?
• Glenn Maxwell has smashed 677 runs at an average of 67.70 and strike rate of 185.48 against the Hurricanes. He also has an outstanding T20 record at the MCG (1,594 runs, avg. 40.87, SR 153.71).

Top all-rounder picks:

• Marcus Stoinis also has excellent numbers against the Hurricanes (451 runs) at an average of 45.10 and strike rate of 145.48. Stoinis has a good matchup against Nathan Ellis, smashing 61 off 38 balls without dismissal.
• Mitch Owen started the BBL 2025/26 season in promising fashion, smashing a 14-ball 31 against the Thunder. Since the start of last season, Owen has hit 484 runs at an average of 44 and strike rate of 205.1.
• Nikhil Chaudhary opens the batting now for the Hurricanes. He is coming off a 40+ score against the Thunder soon after his maiden First Class century last month.
• Chris Jordan picked up 113 Dream11 points against the Thunder. He can contribute in all three facets of the game. He took a catch, two wickets and scored 16*.

Key bowler picks:

• Haris Rauf is a proven performer in the BBL with 36 wickets in 22 matches. This includes eight wickets in two matches against the Hurricanes.
• Riley Meredith has the most wickets in STA-HUR matches, with 20 at an average of 16.55 and economy of 7.44. He has a good matchup against Marcus Stoinis (2/39 off 36 balls).
• Nathan Ellis concedes just 6.28 per over against the Stars (13 wickets in 10 matches). Also, Ellis has taken 17 wickets between overs 14 and 20 in all T20s this year at a strike rate of 13.9.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Tom Curran has 411 runs (avg. 27.4, SR 154.5) and 23 wickets (avg. 33.9, SR 21.4) in all T20s this year. His all-round value makes him an attractive option for fantasy cricket.
• Matthew Wade has batted five times in the middle order (no. 5 or 6) in the BBL in 2025, striking 129 runs at an average of 43 and strike rate of 153.6.
• Billy Stanlake (3/34 against Thunder) enjoyed a strong start to the BBL 2025/26 season.
• Peter Siddle dismissed Ben McDermott three times for 40 runs in 36 balls between 2018 and 2023. Can he still make an impact?
• Hilton Cartwright in all T20s this year: 18 inns, 385 runs, avg. 29.6, SR 172.6.

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head: Matches 22, Melbourne Stars 14, Hobart Hurricanes 8.
• Stars lead Hurricanes 7-4 at the MCG.
• Haris Rauf in T20s at the MCG: 10 inns, 15 wickets, avg. 16.40, SR 14.
• Riley Meredith in T20s at the MCG: 7 inns, 13 wickets, avg. 18.85, SR 12.46.
• Glenn Maxwell hammered 76* (32) against Hobart Hurricanes last season.
• Tom Rogers averages just 13.9 in the BBL. Nathan Ellis has figures of 2/11 off 12 balls against him.
• Tim David has a strong record against Haris Rauf in all T20s: 38 balls, 70 runs, one wicket.
• Nathan Ellis vs Glenn Maxwell in T20s: 15 balls, 13 runs, one wicket.
• Nathan Ellis vs Joe Clarke in T20s: 19 balls, 22 runs, one wicket.
• Riley Meredith vs Glenn Maxwell in T20s: 39 balls, 52 runs, two wickets.
• Glenn Maxwell vs Ben McDermott in T20s: 23 balls, 44 runs, no wickets.

BBL 2025/26 5th Match: STA vs HUR 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 5th Match: STA vs HUR Match Prediction – Who will win?

Stars have a good record against the Hurricanes at the MCG, but do they have the bowling depth this time around? Not so sure. Hurricanes to 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.