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The Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars match scorecard from the Big Bash League 2025–26 season records a dramatic knockout encounter decided by just three runs under the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method. The match took place on 21 January 2026 at Bellerive Oval, Hobart, where rain repeatedly interrupted play and reduced the contest to a high-pressure, short-format battle.
Hobart Hurricanes batted first and scored 114/5 in 10 overs. Beau Webster led the innings with an impressive 47 runs from 26 balls, while Nikhil Chaudhary contributed 24 from 11 deliveries. Melbourne Stars then faced a revised target of 85 runs from seven overs after another rain interruption. They finished on 81/4, falling three runs short of the adjusted target.
Webster’s batting performance proved crucial, while Riley Meredith took two wickets during the Stars’ shortened innings. The victory allowed Hobart Hurricanes to progress to the Challenger, keeping their title defence alive and ending Melbourne Stars’ campaign.
The knockout fixture was expected to be a full-length T20 contest, but rain significantly changed the match. Melbourne Stars won the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping to restrict the Hurricanes and take advantage of the conditions.
Hobart lost early wickets but recovered through aggressive middle-order batting. Webster played the leading role, scoring 47 from 26 balls, while Chaudhary added 24 from just 11 deliveries. Their contributions helped the Hurricanes reach 114/5 in the reduced 10-over innings.
Melbourne Stars initially faced a target of 115 from 10 overs. However, another spell of rain reduced their chase to seven overs, with the revised target set at 85. The shortened innings created enormous pressure because the Stars needed to score rapidly while protecting their remaining wickets.
Joe Clarke scored 31 from 17 balls, and Hilton Cartwright finished unbeaten on 15 from four deliveries. Marcus Stoinis also struck some important boundaries, but Melbourne Stars ended on 81/4 and lost by three runs under DLS.
| Match detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Big Bash League 2025–26 |
| Match | Knockout |
| Date | 21 January 2026 |
| Venue | Bellerive Oval, Hobart |
| Toss | Melbourne Stars elected to bowl |
| Hobart Hurricanes | 114/5 in 10 overs |
| Melbourne Stars | 81/4 in 7 overs |
| Revised target | 85 runs |
| Result | Hobart Hurricanes won by 3 runs (DLS) |
| Player of the Match | Beau Webster |
| Format | T20, rain-reduced |
Hobart Hurricanes finished their innings at 114/5 in 10 overs. The reduced format meant every delivery was important, and the batters had limited time to build partnerships. Despite losing wickets during the innings, the Hurricanes managed to maintain an aggressive scoring rate.
Mitch Owen was dismissed for seven runs from four balls, while Tim Ward scored 10 from 10 deliveries. Ben McDermott added 12 from seven balls before falling to Marcus Stoinis. These early dismissals meant Hobart needed a strong contribution from its middle order.
Beau Webster supplied exactly that. He scored 47 runs from 26 deliveries, including three fours and three sixes. His innings provided stability while also increasing the scoring rate. Nikhil Chaudhary made 24 from 11 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes, and helped Hobart accelerate during the later overs.
Matthew Wade and Chris Jordan remained unbeaten on two runs each as the Hurricanes reached 114/5.
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes | Strike rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitch Owen | Stumped b Glenn Maxwell | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 175.00 |
| Tim Ward | c Tom Rogers b Haris Rauf | 10 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Beau Webster | c Glenn Maxwell b Tom Curran | 47 | 26 | 3 | 3 | 180.77 |
| Ben McDermott | lbw b Marcus Stoinis | 12 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 171.43 |
| Nikhil Chaudhary | c Campbell Kellaway b Haris Rauf | 24 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 218.18 |
| Matthew Wade | Not out | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 200.00 |
| Chris Jordan | Not out | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 200.00 |
| Extras | — | 10 | — | — | — | — |
| Total | 5 wickets | 114 | 10 overs |
Extras included five wides, one bye and four leg byes.
Beau Webster’s match-defining innings
Webster was the standout batter for Hobart Hurricanes. His 47 runs from 26 balls gave the team a strong total in a match where the number of available overs was severely restricted.
Rather than relying entirely on boundaries, Webster combined placement with powerful hitting. His three sixes helped Hobart increase the run rate, while his ability to remain at the crease until the final over ensured the innings did not lose momentum.
Nikhil Chaudhary also provided an important contribution. His 24 from 11 balls came at a strike rate above 218, helping Hobart add valuable runs in a short innings. Together, Webster and Chaudhary ensured that the Hurricanes had a total worth defending.
Melbourne Stars won the toss and chose to bowl, a decision that initially appeared sensible given the weather conditions. Their bowlers took wickets at regular intervals, preventing Hobart from building a long partnership.
Glenn Maxwell dismissed Mitch Owen in the opening over, while Haris Rauf removed Tim Ward and Nikhil Chaudhary. Marcus Stoinis also took the wicket of Ben McDermott, and Tom Curran dismissed Webster near the end of the innings.
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenn Maxwell | 1 | 9 | 1 | 9.00 |
| Tom Curran | 2 | 36 | 1 | 18.00 |
| Peter Siddle | 2 | 19 | 0 | 9.50 |
| Haris Rauf | 2 | 27 | 2 | 13.50 |
| Mitch Swepson | 2 | 12 | 0 | 6.00 |
| Marcus Stoinis | 1 | 6 | 1 | 6.00 |
Haris Rauf was Melbourne’s leading wicket-taker with two wickets. Maxwell and Stoinis also made important breakthroughs, while Swepson was economical in his two overs.
However, Webster’s late acceleration meant Melbourne could not completely restrict the Hurricanes. Hobart’s total of 114/5 gave them a competitive score in the shortened format, setting up a tense chase that became even more complicated after rain interrupted play again.
Melbourne Stars began their chase with an ambitious target, initially requiring 115 runs from 10 overs. After another rain interruption, the target was revised to 85 runs from seven overs. The change meant the Stars needed to score rapidly from the first delivery.
Tom Rogers was dismissed for four runs from six balls, and Sam Harper retired out after scoring 10 from six deliveries. Joe Clarke provided the strongest contribution at the top of the innings, making 31 from 17 balls with six fours and one six.
Marcus Stoinis scored nine from five deliveries before being caught by Riley Meredith off Mitch Owen. Glenn Maxwell remained unbeaten on nine from four balls, while Hilton Cartwright finished on 15 not out from just four deliveries.
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes | Strike rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Rogers | b Riley Meredith | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Sam Harper | Retired out | 10 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 166.67 |
| Joe Clarke | c Mitch Owen b Riley Meredith | 31 | 17 | 6 | 1 | 182.35 |
| Marcus Stoinis | c Riley Meredith b Mitch Owen | 9 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 180.00 |
| Glenn Maxwell | Not out | 9 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 225.00 |
| Hilton Cartwright | Not out | 15 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 375.00 |
| Extras | — | 3 | — | — | — | — |
| Total | 4 wickets | 81 | 7 overs |
Extras included two wides and one leg bye.
Joe Clarke and Hilton Cartwright lead the chase
Joe Clarke played an important role in keeping Melbourne Stars in contention. His 31 from 17 balls included six fours and a six, giving the chase momentum during the middle overs. Clarke’s innings was particularly valuable because the revised target required a high scoring rate from the beginning.
Cartwright produced a powerful finish, scoring 15 from only four balls. His two sixes gave the Stars hope during the closing stages, while Maxwell also scored quickly. Despite their late efforts, Melbourne could not cross the revised target.
The difference between the target of 85 and the final total of 81 was only four runs on the scoreboard, but under the DLS calculation the Hurricanes secured victory by three runs. The finish demonstrated how a single boundary or a couple of extra runs could have changed the outcome.
Hobart Hurricanes needed to defend their total in an extremely short innings. Their bowlers had little margin for error because Melbourne Stars were required to score at a high rate. Riley Meredith delivered the most significant bowling performance, taking two wickets and restricting the opposition’s progress.
Mitch Owen also claimed a wicket, dismissing Stoinis. Nikhil Chaudhary bowled an economical over, conceding only five runs, while Billy Stanlake and Rishad Hossain had mixed results in the shortened innings.
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikhil Chaudhary | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5.00 |
| Riley Meredith | 2 | 19 | 2 | 9.50 |
| Billy Stanlake | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10.00 |
| Rishad Hossain | 2 | 24 | 0 | 12.00 |
| Mitch Owen | 1 | 22 | 1 | 22.00 |
Meredith’s two wickets were crucial because they removed Tom Rogers and Joe Clarke, two batters who could have accelerated the chase. Owen’s dismissal of Stoinis added another important breakthrough.
The bowlers still had to contend with a late assault from Maxwell and Cartwright. With sixes coming in the final over, the match remained uncertain until the final delivery. Melbourne Stars ultimately fell short, allowing Hobart Hurricanes to advance.
Several important moments shaped the outcome of this rain-affected knockout match.
1. Webster’s aggressive batting: His 47 from 26 balls helped Hobart Hurricanes reach 114/5. Without this contribution, the home side would have faced a more difficult task defending a reduced total.
2. Chaudhary’s quick runs: Chaudhary’s 24 from 11 deliveries lifted the scoring rate and provided valuable support to Webster.
3. The rain interruption changed the chase: Melbourne initially faced 115 runs from 10 overs. The revised seven-over target of 85 made every delivery more important and changed the team’s batting approach.
4. Meredith removed key batters: His wickets of Rogers and Clarke interrupted Melbourne’s chase and prevented the Stars from maintaining a consistent scoring rate.
5. The final over created a thrilling finish: Marcus Stoinis and Hilton Cartwright hit sixes during the closing stages, but the Stars could not complete the chase. Hobart secured a three-run DLS victory.
The victory allowed Hobart Hurricanes to advance to the Challenger, where they would face the Sydney Sixers for a place in the BBL|15 final. As defending champions, the Hurricanes remained in contention for another title after surviving a tense knockout match.
For Melbourne Stars, the defeat ended their 2025–26 campaign. The team had finished the league phase in fourth place, earning a place in the finals but failing to progress beyond the knockout stage. Their wait for a first Big Bash League title therefore continued.
The match also illustrated how weather interruptions can affect T20 strategy. Teams must adjust their batting approach, bowling plans and risk calculations when overs are reduced. In this case, Hobart’s initial total and timely wickets proved enough to withstand Melbourne’s late attack.
1. Who won the Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars match?
Hobart Hurricanes won the BBL|15 Knockout by three runs under the DLS method on 21 January 2026 at Bellerive Oval in Hobart.
2. What was Hobart Hurricanes’ score?
Hobart Hurricanes scored 114/5 in 10 overs. Beau Webster top-scored with 47 runs from 26 balls, while Nikhil Chaudhary added 24 from 11 deliveries.
3. What was Melbourne Stars’ final score?
Melbourne Stars scored 81/4 in seven overs while chasing a revised target of 85 runs. The team fell short by three runs under the DLS method.
4. Who was the Player of the Match?
Beau Webster was named Player of the Match for his important innings of 47 runs from 26 balls, which helped Hobart Hurricanes establish a competitive total.
5. How many wickets did Riley Meredith take?
Riley Meredith took two wickets for 19 runs in two overs. He dismissed Tom Rogers and Joe Clarke during Melbourne Stars’ shortened chase.
The Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars match scorecard from the BBL|15 Knockout records one of the season’s most dramatic finishes. Hobart Hurricanes scored 114/5 in 10 overs, led by Beau Webster’s 47 and Nikhil Chaudhary’s quick 24. Melbourne Stars then faced a revised target of 85 runs from seven overs after rain interrupted their chase.
Joe Clarke’s 31 and Hilton Cartwright’s explosive unbeaten 15 kept Melbourne in the contest, but Riley Meredith’s two wickets and Hobart’s disciplined effort under pressure proved decisive. The Stars finished on 81/4, losing by three runs under the DLS method.
The result sent Hobart Hurricanes into the Challenger and ended Melbourne Stars’ season. Webster’s contribution, the changing weather conditions and the dramatic final over made this knockout encounter a memorable chapter in Big Bash League history.