Siddle Three-For, Stoinis All-Round Brilliance Power Stars to Winning Start

A vintage spell from 41-year-old Peter Siddle and an outstanding all-round performance from captain Marcus Stoinis guided the Melbourne Stars to a confidence-boosting eight-wicket victory over reigning Big Bash League champions Hobart Hurricanes at the MCG.

After winning the toss and opting to bowl, the Stars produced a disciplined bowling effort to restrict the Hurricanes to a below-par 158 for 9. Siddle led the attack with figures of 3 for 30, while Stoinis provided key support, finishing with 2 for 18 to cap off an impressive night.

In reply, the Stars made light work of the chase, reaching 159 for 2 with four overs to spare. Stoinis anchored the innings with an unbeaten 62 off just 31 balls, while Campbell Kellaway provided excellent support with 41 not out from 27 deliveries. The skipper sealed the win in style, striking a six to finish the match, and was deservedly named Player of the Match.

The Stars, the only BBL franchise yet to lift the trophy despite Hobart’s title triumph last summer, could not have asked for a better start to their campaign.

The Hurricanes’ innings got off to a disastrous start when veteran Glenn Maxwell opened the bowling and struck with the fourth ball of the match, dismissing dangerous opener Mitch Owen. Owen, who scored a memorable century in last season’s final, holed out to Hilton Cartwright at the boundary, a ball after Cartwright had put down a chance.

That breakthrough triggered a collapse for Hobart. After Ben McDermott arrived at the crease in the second over and played a lone hand with a well-constructed 69, the Hurricanes struggled for momentum. McDermott briefly threatened to lift the scoring alongside Tim David, but David’s dismissal to Siddle in the powerplay proved pivotal. From there, Siddle and Haris Rauf tore through the lower order, taking 4 for 6 in the final eight balls of the innings.

Siddle’s performance underlined his enduring class. First playing domestic cricket in 2005, the former Australia Test pacer recommitted to the Stars this season after taking 12 wickets in the 2024–25 campaign. Although he retired from international cricket in 2019 and ended his Victorian career last summer, Siddle has stayed match-ready, featuring in a short-format league in Canada and representing the Prime Minister’s XI against England last month.

“I just love competing and I don’t want to put out poor performances,” Siddle said. “I’ve worked hard to prepare for this. I was a bit nervous, but it was good to get through it.”

The Stars were sharp in the field throughout the night, highlighted by another spectacular effort from Maxwell, who pulled off a stunning catch to dismiss former Australia teammate Matthew Wade. The all-rounder leapt near the boundary rope and cleverly flicked the ball back into play before completing the catch himself.

Hobart Hurricanes will look to bounce back when they face the Melbourne Renegades in Geelong on Sunday, while the Stars travel to Adelaide to take on the Strikers next Tuesday night.