Melbourne Stars made an impressive start to their Big Bash League campaign with a comfortable victory over Hobart Hurricanes at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. A disciplined bowling effort followed by a composed batting display ensured the Stars wrapped up the contest well before the final overs.
Hurricanes Struggle After Early Setbacks
Batting first, Hobart Hurricanes found themselves under pressure early as wickets fell regularly in the powerplay. The loss of key top-order batters forced the middle order to rebuild rather than accelerate.
Ben McDermott stood firm and played a crucial innings, showing intent and control as wickets fell around him. Tim David provided support during the middle overs, but the Hurricanes were unable to shift momentum in the closing stages.
Once the partnership was broken, the innings lost shape quickly. A late collapse meant Hobart finished below a total that could seriously challenge the Stars on a true batting surface.
Stars Chase with Authority
Melbourne Stars began their reply with positive intent, scoring freely during the early overs. Although a couple of wickets slowed progress briefly, the chase never appeared in doubt.
Captain Marcus Stoinis took control soon after arriving at the crease. Mixing power with smart shot selection, he punished anything loose and kept the required rate firmly under control.
Campbell Kellaway complemented Stoinis perfectly, rotating strike and capitalizing on scoring opportunities. The pair ensured there were no late nerves, finishing the match with several overs remaining.
Bowling Highlights
The Stars’ bowlers laid the foundation for victory with tight lines and timely breakthroughs. Peter Siddle delivered an excellent spell, using experience and accuracy to restrict scoring and claim key wickets.
Brief Score
| Team | Score | Overs |
|---|---|---|
| Hobart Hurricanes | 158/9 | 20.0 |
| Melbourne Stars | 159/2 | 16.0 |
Key Performers
- Ben McDermott: Top scorer for Hurricanes with a composed 69
- Marcus Stoinis: Unbeaten 62 leading the chase
- Campbell Kellaway: Solid support with 41 not out
- Peter Siddle: Standout bowler with three wickets
Match Summary
The Melbourne Stars combined control and aggression to register a convincing win. With strong contributions in both departments, they set the tone for their season, while Hobart Hurricanes will look to regroup ahead of their next fixture.
Match Scorecard: Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars
Hobart Hurricanes Innings
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Owen | 8 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 200.00 |
| Nikhil Chaudhary | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 70.00 |
| Rehan Ahmed | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Ben McDermott | 69 | 52 | 5 | 2 | 132.69 |
| Tim David | 31 | 31 | 2 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Matthew Wade | 11 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 157.14 |
| Chris Jordan | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 116.66 |
| Nathan Ellis (c) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Rishad Hossain | 5* | 3 | 1 | 0 | 166.66 |
Extras: 17 (lb 1, w 16)
Total: 158/9 (20 overs)
Melbourne Stars Bowling
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenn Maxwell | 3 | 0 | 22 | 1 | 7.33 |
| Tom Curran | 3 | 0 | 25 | 1 | 8.33 |
| Peter Siddle | 4 | 0 | 30 | 3 | 7.50 |
| Haris Rauf | 4 | 0 | 33 | 2 | 8.25 |
| Mitchell Swepson | 3 | 0 | 29 | 0 | 9.66 |
| Marcus Stoinis | 3 | 0 | 18 | 2 | 6.00 |
Melbourne Stars Innings
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Rogers | 30 | 18 | 6 | 0 | 166.66 |
| Joe Clarke | 20 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Campbell Kellaway | 41* | 27 | 5 | 0 | 151.85 |
| Marcus Stoinis (c) | 62* | 31 | 7 | 2 | 200.00 |
Extras: 6 (lb 2, w 4)
Total: 159/2 (16 overs)
Hobart Hurricanes Bowling
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riley Meredith | 2 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 9.00 |
| Billy Stanlake | 3 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 6.33 |
| Nathan Ellis | 3 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 9.33 |
| Chris Jordan | 3 | 0 | 41 | 0 | 13.66 |
| Rishad Hossain | 3 | 0 | 33 | 2 | 11.00 |
| Rehan Ahmed | 2 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 9.00 |
Result
Melbourne Stars won by 8 wickets
