MS vs HB 5th T20 Match Preview:

The Big Bash League is returning for another year, and the fifth match pits Melbourne Stars against Hobart Hurricanes on the MCG. Hobart, who won the title last year, has already won the inaugural match, whereas the Stars are looking for a strong start to this season following their impressive performance in the previous edition. This one should provide plenty of entertainment.

Recent Performance: 

MS vs HB 5th T20 Match Details:

• Series/Tournament: BBL 2025-26
• Match: MS vs HB 5th T20
• Date: 18 Dec. 2025
• Match Start Time: 01:45 PM IST
• Stadium/Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Richmond
• Live Score: cricketwinner.com
• Live Streaming: Sony Sports TEN Network, Jio Hotstar & Fancode

Head-to-Head Stats:

(Last 5 Matches)

Pitch & Weather Report:

Early overs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground can be challenging for batters because of the hard deck and size of the field, and the large square boundaries make clearing the rope more difficult than at smaller venues. Spinners rarely alter the game, but they can provide a breakthrough. The climate in Melbourne will be humid and hot, but thankfully, no rain is expected.

Melbourne Cricket Ground, Richmond, Australia Stats: 

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) pitch provides a balanced, competitive field with good bounce, favouring pace bowlers early on and becoming good for batting as the match progresses, though spinners have historically struggled. 

MS vs HB Probable Playing 11

Melbourne Stars (MS) Probable 11:

Mitchell Owen, Nikhil Chaudhary, Rehan Ahmed, Ben McDermott, Tim David, Matthew Wade(wk), Chris Jordan, Nathan Ellis(c), Rishad Hossain, Riley Meredith, Billy Stanlake

Hobart Hurricanes (HB) Probable 11:

Joe Clarke (wk), Campbell Kellaway, Sam Harper, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis (c), Hilton Cartwright, Tom Curran, Liam Hatcher, Haris Rauf, Mitch Swepson, Peter Siddle

MS vs HB- Top Picks from MS

MS vs HB- Top Picks from HB

Cricket Winner Player’s Insight:

Mitchell Owen was outstanding last season, finishing as the top run scorer with 452 runs from 11 games at a strike rate of 203.

Riley Meredith, who scored 3-34 in the first match, brings pace and bounce to challenge batters early. 

Sam Harper is set to start alongside him after an excellent Vitality Blast performance in mid-2025, when he scored 222 runs from 4 innings at a rate of 198.2.

Haris Rauf was chosen despite interest from Adelaide and will lead the pace unit.

MS vs HB Captain & Vice-Captain Choices:

MS vs HB Fantasy Team Suggestion:  

MS vs HB Dream11 Prediction Expert Advice 

MS vs HB Dream11 Prediction Probable Winners:

Following their convincing win in their first match, the Hobart Hurricanes appear to be on track for another successful season. The next opponent is the Melbourne Stars, with whom they have clashed several times in the last two years. The Stars have quality across their lineup and should not be underestimated, but the Hurricanes have superior depth in all departments, which tilts the game in their favor.

MS vs HB 5th T20, 2025 FAQ

Who is likely to win the MS vs HB match today?

Melbourne Stars (MS) is expected to win this match.

Who is ahead in Head-to-Head stats?    

Hobart Hurricanes is leading in terms of H2H stats.

Who are the top fantasy picks for the MS vs HB Dream11 team?

Mitchell Owen, Sam Harper, Haris Rauf and Riley Meredith 

What is the pitch report for this match?

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) pitch provides a balanced, competitive field with good bounce.