Final result
Melbourne Stars won by 6 wickets
Player of the match: TK Curran
Result · Big Bash League
Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Stars
Result · Big Bash League
Venue par · 205Chase success · 58%POTM · TK Curran
Match preview & overview
Stars grind out a six-wicket win as Strikers fold for 83 at the MCG
Melbourne Stars beat Adelaide Strikers by 6 wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 13 January 2026. The match was effectively decided in the first six overs of Adelaide's innings: the Strikers lost 4 wickets for 21 runs in the powerplay and never found a way back. Bowled out for 83 in total, they set a target the Stars reached without ever looking comfortable themselves. Melbourne finished on 86 for 5, with TK Curran named Player of the Match for his contribution throughout. It was a win, but far from a polished one.
The low-scoring nature of the game stood out against the MCG's broader T20 history. Across 155 matches at the ground, the average first-innings score is 205 and the average second-innings score is 190. This fixture produced a combined 169 runs. Adelaide's batting collapse skewed the entire contest, leaving Melbourne chasing a total that removed most of the pressure from their own fragile-looking innings.
For Adelaide, the result extends a difficult run. They have won just 2 of their last 5 matches this BBL season, with losses to Perth Scorchers (twice), Hobart Hurricanes, and now Melbourne Stars. For the Stars, it consolidates their head-to-head dominance over this opponent. Melbourne have now won 12 of the 21 meetings between these sides, including four of the last five.
Pitch report & venue insights
Melbourne Cricket Ground — 155-match sample
Aggregate conditions from 2002–2025. Numbers that tend to decide matches at this ground — par score, chase success, powerplay averages and toss bias.
155
T20 matches hosted
205
Avg 1st-innings score
190
Avg 2nd-innings score
58%
Chase success rate
38
Avg powerplay runs
57%
Toss-field rate
Key talking points
Moments the match hinged on
Headline angle
Strikers collapse in powerplay costs them the match
Adelaide Strikers lost 4 wickets inside the first 6 overs for just 21 runs, and never recovered. Dismissed for 83 in total, they posted well below the MCG's average first-innings T20 score of 205. A total that small gave the Stars a straightforward target regardless of their own middle-overs wobble.
Angle 02
Stars make hard work of an 84-run chase
Angle 03
TK Curran named Player of the Match
Angle 04
Stars hold 12-9 head-to-head advantage over Strikers
Angle 05
Low-scoring contest well below venue norms
Key players
Players who decided it
Betting & analytical angles
Angles the data surfaced
- First-innings total markets may be worth examining given how far below the MCG's average first-innings score of 205 this match fell; whether that reflects pitch conditions or a structural vulnerability in Adelaide's top order is worth tracking.
- Powerplay wickets markets could be relevant given Adelaide lost 4 wickets for 21 runs in the opening 6 overs here; top-order dismissal patterns for the Strikers have been consistent across recent fixtures.
- Player of the Match markets for all-rounders tend to offer interest in low-scoring T20 games where a single performer with bat and ball can swing the award decisively, as TK Curran demonstrated here.
- The MCG's 56 per cent chase success rate across 155 matches suggests toss-and-field decisions carry genuine weight; Melbourne won the toss, chose to field, and the outcome followed the trend.
For editorial context only. Not a forecast and not betting advice. 18+ only, please gamble responsibly.
Frequently asked
Questions about Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Stars
Who won the Melbourne Stars vs Adelaide Strikers BBL match on 13 January 2026?
Melbourne Stars won by 6 wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 13 January 2026. Adelaide Strikers were bowled out for 83 and the Stars reached the target for the loss of 5 wickets.
Who was Player of the Match in Stars vs Strikers at the MCG?
TK Curran was named Player of the Match for Melbourne Stars. His contribution across the match was considered the decisive individual performance of the game.
Where can I watch Big Bash League matches in the UK?
BBL matches are broadcast in the UK on Sky Sports Cricket. You can stream via Sky Go if you have a Sky subscription, or pick up day passes through NOW TV. Coverage typically includes live matches and highlights.
What is the head-to-head record between Melbourne Stars and Adelaide Strikers?
Across 21 BBL meetings, Melbourne Stars lead 12-9. The Stars have won four of the last five encounters, with Adelaide's only recent win coming in 2024 at Adelaide Oval by 15 runs.
How did Adelaide Strikers bat in this match?
Adelaide Strikers had a disastrous powerplay, losing 4 wickets for just 21 runs in the first 6 overs. They were eventually bowled out for 83, well short of the MCG's T20 average first-innings score of 205. The middle overs yielded 37 runs but the top-order collapse set the tone for the entire innings.
What is Adelaide Strikers' recent form in the BBL 2026 season?
Adelaide Strikers have won just 2 of their last 5 matches, losing to Perth Scorchers twice and Hobart Hurricanes in that run. Their only wins came against Sydney Thunder and Brisbane Heat. This defeat to Melbourne continues a difficult period for the Strikers.
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Photo credits (4)
- Pat Cummins — photo by SirWellsy99, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Jasprit Bumrah — photo by Prime Minister's Office, GODL-India · source
- Shane Watson — photo by paddynapper, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
- Virat Kohli — photo by Prime Minister's Office, GODL-India · source