On a brisk Thursday night at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Sydney Sixers delivered a clinical performance to hand the Melbourne Stars their third consecutive defeat in the 2025-26 Big Bash League season. In a match that started with high stakes and even higher hopes for the home side, the Stars’ early season momentum fizzled as they stumbled to a disappointing 128 all out, leaving the Sixers with a modest chase that they completed with 17 balls to spare.
This contest, the 27th match of the season, was set up to be a pivotal one for both franchises. The Stars, having started their campaign with four consecutive victories, had hit a rough patch with back-to-back losses. The Sixers, meanwhile, were looking to solidify their place in the top half of the table after a mixed run so far. With the ladder tightly packed, every point was crucial—and the pressure was palpable under the MCG lights.
The evening began with a hint of drama in the air, not just from the overcast skies and threat of rain, but from the tactical decisions that would soon shape the match. The pitch, known for its bounce and pace this season, was expected to favor the quicks, and with rain earlier in the week, bowling first seemed the logical call. True to recent trends at the MCG, teams chasing had won all three matches at the venue this season—and the Sixers would soon make it four.
The Stars, led by Marcus Stoinis, looked to set a competitive total after winning the toss. Sam Harper and Thomas Rogers opened up with intent, but the Sixers’ bowlers kept things tight. The Stars found themselves in a decent position at 3-97, but what followed was a collapse that left the home crowd stunned. From a platform that promised at least a par score, the Stars lost their final seven wickets for just 31 runs, ending up at 128 all out. The collapse was as sudden as it was comprehensive, with the Sixers’ bowlers exploiting the two-paced nature of the pitch masterfully.
Ben Dwarshuis was the chief architect of the Stars’ downfall, turning in a sensational spell of 4-13 from 3.5 overs. Remarkably, Dwarshuis wasn’t brought into the attack until the ninth over, a move enabled by early breakthroughs from Ben Manenti (1-15) and Joel Davies (2-15). Dwarshuis’ late introduction paid off handsomely as he mopped up the tail, leaving the Stars reeling and the Sixers’ supporters in full voice. As Fox Sports noted, “Ben Dwarshuis was the Sixers’ chief destroyer, snaring 4-13 off 3.5 overs after not being deployed until the ninth over.”
For the Stars, there were few bright spots with the bat. Tom Curran’s 38 and Campbell Kellaway’s 33 provided some resistance, but the rest of the lineup faltered. Glenn Maxwell, affectionately known as ‘The Big Show’, continued his uncharacteristic slump, falling for just 1—his fourth single-digit score in five innings this season. The Stars’ power surge, taken just after Maxwell’s arrival, failed to ignite the innings, and the home side never recovered from the quick wickets.
In reply, the Sixers approached the chase with composure and professionalism. There was no need for fireworks; instead, the visitors built steady partnerships and capitalized on a lack of scoreboard pressure. Josh Philippe anchored the innings with a well-constructed 35, while Lachlan Shaw provided the finishing touches with a brisk, unbeaten 24 off just 14 balls. Jordan Silk added a patient 15 not out as the Sixers crossed the finish line with six wickets in hand.
Joel Davies, named Player of the Match, contributed with both bat and ball, and reflected on the team’s performance in his post-match comments. "It was a massive game for us. It just gets us ahead of the middle of the ladder, which is pretty congested. But I was surprised I didn't get washed. I deserved it this time. I thought that not many, but, yeah, I'll take it," he said, acknowledging both the pressure of the occasion and the importance of the win for the Sixers’ campaign.
The Stars’ bowlers, led by Marcus Stoinis (2-20) and Peter Siddle (1-10), tried to claw their way back into the contest, but the target was simply too small to defend. The Sixers’ batsmen, knowing exactly what was required, played risk-free cricket and picked off the runs with ease, even as the Stars’ fielders searched desperately for wickets.
The defeat marks a worrying trend for the Stars, whose season is now at a crossroads. After a flawless start, they’ve now lost three in a row, with their once-vaunted batting lineup suddenly looking vulnerable. The collapse from 3-97 to 128 all out was symptomatic of a side struggling for confidence and form. The loss also means the Stars risk slipping out of the top four, with the Melbourne Derby looming as a must-win encounter to get their season back on track.
For the Sixers, the win was a statement of intent. Their bowlers executed their plans perfectly, and the batting unit showed depth and calm under pressure. Ben Dwarshuis’ four-wicket haul was the highlight, but it was a true team effort, with early wickets from Manenti and Davies setting the tone. The Sixers now move ahead in the race for playoff spots, their campaign bolstered by a balanced squad and a clear sense of purpose.
The match also featured some notable individual storylines. English all-rounder Sam Curran, making his first Big Bash appearance at the MCG since his heroics in the T20 World Cup final, had a night to forget with the ball—conceding 31 runs from just two overs. However, he chipped in with a handy 17 off 21 with the bat, reminding fans of his all-around abilities. Meanwhile, Peter Siddle continued to impress for the Stars, adding another wicket to his tally and maintaining his status as one of the league’s leading wicket-takers.
As the teams look ahead, the Stars will need to regroup quickly. Their next fixture—a high-stakes derby against the Renegades—could define their season. For the Sixers, the challenge will be to maintain momentum and build on this impressive victory as the Big Bash League heads into its critical mid-season stretch.
On a night when the weather threatened but ultimately spared the cricket, it was the Sixers who shone brightest under the MCG lights, leaving the Stars with plenty of questions and their fans hoping for a swift turnaround in fortunes.
