Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars, Tuesday, 29 December 2026 — 1:45 PM IST, Bellerive Oval, Hobart
The 16th match of the Big Bash League 2026-27 is Hobart Hurricanes against Melbourne Stars on Tuesday, 29 December 2026, at Bellerive Oval, Hobart, starting at 1:45 PM IST. Bellerive Oval hosts four matches this season.
The first ball goes down at 7:15 PM local time in Hobart, under lights at the Hurricanes' home ground. It is a short trip across Bass Strait for the Stars, but a hard one: the Hurricanes lost so rarely at home on their way to the 2024-25 title that Bellerive has become one of the toughest grounds to visit.
How both sides arrive in BBL|16
BBL|16 starts on Saturday 12 December 2026, so there is no form from this season to judge either side on. That is what the Hurricanes and the Stars bring into BBL|16.
| Team | Captain | Coach | BBL titles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart Hurricanes | Nathan Ellis | Jeff Vaughan | 2024-25 |
| Melbourne Stars | Marcus Stoinis | Cameron White | None yet |
Hobart are the champions of 2024-25, and they start their defence with Nathan Ellis captaining and Jeff Vaughan coaching. Adam Zampa is the big new signing, joining a squad that already knows how to win a title. The Hurricanes' one title is the freshest in the league, and they will want their home crowd to see a champions' performance.
The Stars are still chasing a first title after four final defeats. Finn Allen joins Glenn Maxwell and captain Marcus Stoinis, and Cameron White coaches the side. Melbourne have the batting to beat anyone on their day; the question, as ever, is whether they can hold their nerve when a season turns on a single game.
The champions at home, the nearly-men away
A win is worth two points, and a no-result is worth one. Ten matches each, four finals places — that is the shape of the race.
For Hobart, this is the first home match of their title defence, and champions are judged by how they handle nights like this. A win at Bellerive would show the 2024-25 title was the start of something, not a one-off, and it would bank two points before the new year fixtures pile up.
For the Stars, the stakes are heavier. Four final defeats is a record no club wants, and every season the same question follows them to Hobart and beyond. A win against the champions, away from home, would be the strongest possible answer. The finals run from the Qualifier on 19 January to the final on Australia Day, 26 January.
The players who can decide it
Each of the four below has a SialTV profile — the names link through.
Nathan Ellis is the Hurricanes bowler who captains the champions. He leads the attack at his home ground, and his death bowling is the skill the Stars will have to find a way past if they are to chase or defend a total at Bellerive.
Tim David is the Hurricanes batter who can finish a game in a handful of balls. Against a Stars attack that has leaked runs at the death before, his hitting in the last few overs could be the difference between the sides.
Glenn Maxwell is the Stars all-rounder who can win a match on his own. Few players in the league change a scoreboard as quickly as he does, and Hobart will have a plan for him from the moment he walks to the crease.
Marcus Stoinis is the Stars all-rounder who captains the side. He bats in the middle order and bowls useful overs, and his leadership will matter most if the game comes down to the final over at Bellerive.
Match information
| Ground | Bellerive Oval, Hobart |
| Series | Big Bash League |
| Season | 2026-27, BBL|16 |
| Match Days | Tuesday, 29 December 2026 |
| Start | 1:45 PM IST · 1:15 PM PKT · 08:15 UTC · 7:15 PM AEDT local |
| Points | Winner 2, loser 0 |
Match yet to begin — the scorecard will appear on this page after the match. Bellerive Oval hosts four matches in BBL|16.
Frequently asked questions
When does Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars start?
Match 16 is played on Tuesday, 29 December 2026 at Bellerive Oval, Hobart. It starts at 1:45 PM IST, which is 1:15 PM PKT, 08:15 UTC and 7:15 PM local time in Hobart. Bellerive Oval hosts four matches in BBL|16, and this is the champions' first home game of the season.
Who captains each side in Match 16?
Nathan Ellis captains the Hobart Hurricanes, with Jeff Vaughan coaching the side. Marcus Stoinis captains the Melbourne Stars, with Cameron White coaching. Ellis leads the defending champions, while Stoinis leads a Stars side still chasing a first title after four final defeats.
Where is Match 16 played, and how many games does the ground host?
The match is played at Bellerive Oval, Hobart, the Hurricanes' home ground. Bellerive Oval hosts four matches in BBL|16. Hobart won their first BBL title in 2024-25, while the Stars are the only team yet to win a BBL title.
Who are the players to watch in Match 16?
Nathan Ellis and Tim David for the Hobart Hurricanes, and Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis for the Melbourne Stars. Ellis captains the champions, David can finish a game in a few balls, Maxwell can win a match on his own, and Stoinis captains the Stars.
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