Final result
Perth Scorchers won by 6 wickets
Player of the match: JA Richardson
Result · Big Bash League
Melbourne Stars vs Perth Scorchers
Result · Big Bash League
Venue par · 179Chase success · 52%POTM · JA Richardson
Match preview & overview
Scorchers chase down Stars with six wickets to spare at Optus Stadium
Perth Scorchers beat Melbourne Stars by 6 wickets at Optus Stadium on 17 January 2026, chasing down a target of 131 with relative comfort despite losing 3 wickets inside the powerplay. Melbourne were bowled out for 130, a total that looked under-par at a ground where the average first-innings score across 65 matches is 179. JA Richardson was named Player of the Match. Perth won the toss and chose to field, a decision that shaped the entire contest.
The match turned decisively in the middle overs of the Scorchers' chase. After slipping to three early wickets, Perth's batting settled and produced 79 runs without loss between overs 7 and 16. That spell of calm effectively shut Melbourne out of the game. The Stars picked up one more wicket in the death overs, but by then the equation had been made simple. Perth finished on 134 for 4 and extended their all-time head-to-head lead over Melbourne to 16 wins from 24 meetings.
Pitch report & venue insights
Optus Stadium, Perth — 65-match sample
Aggregate conditions from 2017–2025. Numbers that tend to decide matches at this ground — par score, chase success, powerplay averages and toss bias.
65
T20 matches hosted
179
Avg 1st-innings score
152
Avg 2nd-innings score
52%
Chase success rate
39
Avg powerplay runs
57%
Toss-field rate
Key talking points
Moments the match hinged on
Headline angle
Stars bowled out for below-par 130
Melbourne Stars managed only 130 all out, well below Optus Stadium's average first-innings score of 179 across 65 matches. A powerplay that cost 3 wickets for 46 runs set the tone, and the death overs yielded just 21 runs for the loss of 4 wickets as the innings caved in the final phase.
Angle 02
Scorchers' middle overs sealed the chase
Angle 03
Richardson earns Player of the Match honours
Angle 04
Head-to-head dominance continues for Perth
Angle 05
Stars' mixed form remains a concern
Key players
Players who decided it
Perth Scorchers
JA Richardson
Perth Scorchers
DA Warner
Melbourne Stars
MA Starc
Melbourne Stars
M Labuschagne
Betting & analytical angles
Angles the data surfaced
- Top batter markets could be more informative than outright result lines at a venue where the team batting second lost 3 powerplay wickets but still won comfortably. Middle-order contributions may be underpriced.
- Optus Stadium's chase success rate of 49% across 65 matches is almost exactly even, so the toss and conditions often carry more weight than home advantage alone when assessing result markets.
- With Melbourne Stars being bowled out 49 runs below the venue's average first-innings score of 179, total runs markets and innings-score lines may warrant closer attention for future Stars fixtures.
- Perth Scorchers' dominant head-to-head record (16 wins from 24 meetings) is the kind of structural edge that tends to be reflected in outright markets; the value, if any, is more likely to sit elsewhere in this fixture.
For editorial context only. Not a forecast and not betting advice. 18+ only, please gamble responsibly.
Frequently asked
Questions about Melbourne Stars vs Perth Scorchers
Who won the Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Stars BBL match on 17 January 2026?
Perth Scorchers won by 6 wickets at Optus Stadium in Perth. The Scorchers chased down Melbourne Stars' total of 130 all out, reaching 134 for 4 to win with wickets in hand.
Who was Player of the Match in the Scorchers vs Stars game?
JA Richardson was named Player of the Match. His contribution was recognised as the key individual performance in Perth's 6-wicket victory.
Where can I watch the BBL in the UK?
The Big Bash League is broadcast in the UK on BT Sport and available to stream via the BT Sport app. You can also follow ball-by-ball coverage through BBC Sport Online and various cricket score services.
What is the head-to-head record between Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars?
Perth Scorchers lead the all-time BBL head-to-head 16 wins to 7, with 1 no result from 24 meetings. The Scorchers have won the last five meetings in a row, by margins ranging from 6 wickets to 61 runs.
What did Perth Scorchers score against Melbourne Stars?
Perth Scorchers scored 134 for 4 while chasing 131. Melbourne Stars were bowled out for 130 in the first innings. The Scorchers won by 6 wickets.
What is the average score at Optus Stadium in T20 cricket?
Across 65 T20 matches at Optus Stadium in Perth, the average first-innings score is 179 and the average second-innings score is 152. The venue has an almost even chase success rate of 49%, making toss decisions and conditions particularly relevant.
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Photo credits (2)
- David Warner — photo by YellowMonkey/Blnguyen, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Mitchell Starc — photo by Dave Morton, Public domain · source