Final result
Melbourne Stars won by 9 wickets
Player of the match: Haris Rauf
Result · Big Bash League
Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars
Result · Big Bash League
Venue par · 198Chase success · 49%POTM · Haris Rauf
Match preview & overview
Stars Cruise to 9-Wicket Win as Thunder Fold for 128
Melbourne Stars made light work of Sydney Thunder at Manuka Oval on 28 December 2025, winning by 9 wickets to record one of the more one-sided results in this BBL rivalry. Sydney Thunder were bowled out for 128, and the Stars' reply was effectively done before the halfway point of the chase: 61 runs from the powerplay without loss put the result beyond reasonable doubt. Haris Rauf was named Player of the Match for his contribution with the ball in the first innings. The Stars have now won four of their last five matches in this BBL season.
For Sydney Thunder, the defeat continues a difficult run. They arrived at this fixture having won just two of their last five games, and their batting order once again failed to fire at a venue where the average first-innings total is 198. Posting 128 all out was simply not competitive, regardless of conditions.
The win also carries significance in the context of a rivalry that had tilted firmly Sydney's way in recent years. Thunder had won the previous four meetings between these sides. The Stars' 9-wicket result draws the overall head-to-head level at 11 wins each from 22 BBL encounters.
Pitch report & venue insights
Manuka Oval — 44-match sample
Aggregate conditions from 2012–2025. Numbers that tend to decide matches at this ground — par score, chase success, powerplay averages and toss bias.
44
T20 matches hosted
198
Avg 1st-innings score
163
Avg 2nd-innings score
49%
Chase success rate
47
Avg powerplay runs
64%
Toss-field rate
Key talking points
Moments the match hinged on
Headline angle
Thunder bowled out for 128 in difficult conditions
Sydney Thunder lost all 10 wickets and could only post 128, well below Manuka Oval's average first-innings score of 198. Their death overs were the telling phase: just 29 runs from the final four overs as five wickets fell.
Angle 02
Stars' powerplay set up the chase immediately
Angle 03
Haris Rauf named Player of the Match
Angle 04
Stars' fourth win from their last five matches
Angle 05
Head-to-head levelled at 11 wins apiece
Key players
Players who decided it
Betting & analytical angles
Angles the data surfaced
- Top bowler markets may deserve attention given Haris Rauf's Player of the Match impact; bowling performances are shaping this Stars side more than outright batting firepower.
- At a venue where the first-innings average is 198, sides falling significantly short of that mark have tended to struggle in this data set; total runs markets over shorter distances may reflect that consistently.
- Stars' powerplay batting has been exceptional in this fixture, putting 61 on the board without loss; powerplay runs lines could be worth monitoring in future meetings.
- The head-to-head now sits at 11–11 over 22 matches, which historically suggests these teams are well matched overall even if one side is in better form at any given moment.
For editorial context only. Not a forecast and not betting advice. 18+ only, please gamble responsibly.
Frequently asked
Questions about Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars
Who won the Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder BBL match on 28 December 2025?
Melbourne Stars won by 9 wickets at Manuka Oval. Sydney Thunder were bowled out for 128 and the Stars knocked off the target losing just one wicket, with 61 runs coming in the powerplay alone.
Who was the Player of the Match?
Haris Rauf was named Player of the Match. He played a key role in dismissing Sydney Thunder for 128, well below the venue's average first-innings score of 198.
What is the head-to-head record between Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder?
The two sides have now met 22 times in BBL cricket, with the record perfectly level at 11 wins each. Sydney Thunder had won the previous four encounters before this result, but the Stars have now closed that gap.
Where to watch Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder in the UK?
BBL matches are available in the UK on Sky Sports Cricket and can be streamed via Sky Go or a NOW TV day pass. Check the Sky Sports schedule for broadcast times, remembering Australian Eastern Daylight Time is 11 hours ahead of GMT during the BBL season.
What is Manuka Oval's typical scoring pattern in T20 cricket?
Across 44 T20 matches at Manuka Oval, the average first-innings score is 198 and the average second-innings score is 163. Teams fielding first have done so after winning the toss 62% of the time, though the ground's chase success rate sits at just 48%.
How have Melbourne Stars been performing in BBL 2025?
Going into this fixture Melbourne Stars had won four of their five most recent BBL matches in 2025, with their only defeat coming against Sydney Thunder. This nine-wicket win is their most convincing result of that run.
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