Big Bash League 2025-26 Match Predictions

The Knockout match of the Big Bash League 2025-26 sees Hobart Hurricanes take on Melbourne Stars on January 21. With elimination on the line, recent form, pressure handling, and key player match-ups are expected to shape this high-stakes contest.

Here are the Match Predictions for Big Bash League 2025-26, 42nd Match (Knockout) - Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars, to be played on the 21st of January at Bellerive Oval, Hobart.

Ground Stat:

Range of average 1st Innings Total at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart (Big Bash League) - 150-170

Range of average 2nd Innings Total at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart (Big Bash League) - 130-150

Batting Stats T20

42nd Match (Knockout) - Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars (Bellerive Oval, Hobart)

Current Form Hobart Hurricanes:

Hobart Hurricanes finished at the 3rd position on points table after league stages and they will now face Melbourne Stars in the Knockout Match in their home conditions.

The top run scorer for Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League 2025-26 is Nikhil Chaudhary with 279 runs to his name.

The top wicket taker for Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League 2025-26 is Nathan Ellis with 14 scalps under his belt.

Hobart Hurricanes have lost their previous match against Brisbane Heat by a small margin of 3 runs.

Brisbane Heat batted first and they posted a total of 160 for 8 in 20 overs. Usman Khawaja and Jack Wildermuth got out cheaply. After their dismissals, Nathan McSweeney and Matt Renshaw batted really well. They scored 49 and 37 runs respectively to instill hopes for a big total. The lower order batters disappointed after their dismissals though and Brisbane Heat had to settle for a total of 160, even though at one point, they were aiming at 175+.

During the chase, Hobart Hurricanes lost the key wickets of Tim Ward and Mitchell Owen quite early into the innings. After their dismissals, Beau Webster and Ben McDermott stitched a partnership of 98 runs for the 3rd wicket. While these two were batting, it looked like Hobart Hurricanes would easily chase the total down. They started experiencing hiccups after the partnership was broken. Wickets kept falling in regular succession and Hobart Hurricanes were eventually restricted to 157 in 20 overs of play, losing the match by a small margin of 3 runs.

Current Form Melbourne Stars:

Melbourne Stars finished at the 4th position on points table after league stages and they will now face Hobart Hurricanes in the Knockout Match in away conditions.

The top run scorer for Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League 2025-26 is Sam Harper with 371 runs to his name.

The top wicket taker for Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League 2025-26 is Haris Rauf with 18 scalps under his belt.

Melbourne Stars have lost their previous match against Perth Scorchers by 6 wickets.

Melbourne Stars batted first and they posted a total of 130 before being bowled out. Tom Fraser Rogers and Sam Harper got out cheaply. After their dismissals, Joe Clarke and Campbell Kellaway also disappointed and couldn't trouble the scorers much. It was Marcus Stoinis, who held the innings together when wickets kept falling in regular succession at the other end. He made 55 off 39 balls to help Stars get to 130 in their innings.

During the chase, Perth Scorchers lost 3 early wickets to the pace of Haris Rauf. However, Finn Allen picked up from where he left off in the last match. He smashed 69 runs off 39 balls to help Perth Scorchers win the game in the 17th over with 6 wickets in hand.

Wicket Takers T20

Let's have a look at the squads:

Melbourne Stars

Marcus Stoinis (C), Glenn Maxwell, Hilton Cartwright, Joe Clarke, Tom Curran, Mark Steketee, Scott Boland, Mitchell Swepson, Haris Rauf, Tom Rogers, Peter Siddle, Liam Hatcher, Hamish McKenzie

Hobart Hurricanes

Nathan Ellis (C), Tim David, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Billy Stanlake, Matthew Wade, Beau Webster, Jake Weatherald, Chris Jordan, Rishad Hossain, Rehan Ahmed, Mac Wright, Iain Carlisle, Nikhil Chaudhary, Fergus O’Neill, Ollie Peake

Match Prediction - Hobart Hurricanes v Melbourne Stars

Cricket Match Predictions* - PrePlay

Who will win the toss? – Melbourne Stars

Who will win? - Hobart Hurricanes

Top Batter (Runs Scored) - Marcus Stoinis (Melbourne Stars), Mitchell Owen (Hobart Hurricanes)

Top Bowler (Wickets taken) - Mitchell Swepson (Melbourne Stars), Nathan Ellis (Hobart Hurricanes)

Most Sixes - Tom Curran (Melbourne Stars), Mitchell Owen (Hobart Hurricanes)

Player of the Match- Mitchell Owen (Hobart Hurricanes)

Team Scores Batting first – Hobart Hurricanes 180+, Melbourne Stars 165+

Match Handicap: Hobart Hurricanes

Live Cricket Streaming Big Bash League 2025-26 - The live cricket streaming page which enables you to watch live cricket - Geo-restrictions apply

*NB these predictions may be changed nearer the start of the match once the final starting teams have been announced and we will be running ‘In-Play’ features, so stay tuned.

Also, the predictions and picks are formulated from the stats and information sourced and compiled from AI and Stats experts - Always remember, when the fun stops… STOP

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