Boxing Day cricket at the Sydney Cricket Ground is a fixture that rarely disappoints, and the 2025 edition between the Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars lived up to the billing. The Stars bowled with precision early, then chased down 144 with 2.3 overs to spare, powered by a stunning unbeaten century from Sam Harper. Here is the full scorecard, key turning points, and what this result means for both sides in BBL|15.

4 related posts

Match Result: Melbourne Stars won by 7 wickets ·
Sydney Sixers Total: 144/10 (20 overs) ·
Melbourne Stars Total: 145/3 (17.3 overs) ·
Match Date: 26 December 2025 ·
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Official player of the match award (likely Sam Harper, but not yet confirmed by league)
  • Exact ball-by-ball details for wickets (available on live score platforms)
  • Future head-to-head schedule beyond January 2026
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Six key figures, one pattern: the match turned in the powerplay when the Stars’ bowling attack suffocated the Sixers’ top order, setting up a modest chase that Harper turned into a showcase.

Label Value
Match Date 26 December 2025
Result Melbourne Stars won by 7 wickets
Sydney Sixers innings 144/10 in 20 overs
Melbourne Stars innings 145/3 in 17.3 overs
Margin 7 wickets
Venue Sydney Cricket Ground

Where can I find the Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars match scorecard?

If you missed the Boxing Day clash or want to revisit the numbers, several trusted platforms have the complete scorecard online.

How to access live scorecard

Where to see today’s score

For the most recent BBL match, ESPNcricinfo updates its lives scores page (series hub) in real time. The BBL’s official app and 7plus (free streaming platform) also carry live scoring overlays during matches.

Where to see yesterday’s match result

All completed BBL fixtures appear on the ESPNcricinfo scores page (series archive) with full scorecards available the same evening. 7plus (replay service) also hosts full match replays for BBL|15.

Bottom line: Fans can access the full scorecard via ESPNcricinfo, cricket.com.au, and Sofascore. For replays, 7plus offers the complete match broadcast.

The implication: having multiple reliable platforms means no fan misses the action, whether watching live or catching up later.

Why is Babar Azam not playing for the Sydney Sixers?

The Pakistan star was a high-profile signing for BBL|15, but his absence in the finals raised questions among fans.

Why Babar Azam left the BBL finals

Babar Azam returned to Pakistan ahead of the BBL finals to prepare for the national team’s bilateral series, as ESPNcricinfo (cricket news desk) reported. The Pakistan Cricket Board recalled its contracted players for international duty, a common arrangement for overseas stars during the BBL.

Impact on Sydney Sixers lineup

Without Babar, the Sixers relied more on domestic top-order batsmen like Kurtis Patterson and Moises Henriques. His departure left a gap in the middle order that the team struggled to fill during the business end of the season.

The catch

For the Sixers, losing Babar before the knockout stage meant losing their most consistent run-scorer at a time when every run counted. The team managed only 144 in the Boxing Day match – a total that would have been larger with Babar at the crease.

The pattern: overseas player departures expose squad depth, a challenge Sixers must solve if they want to reclaim the title.

Has Sydney Sixers ever won the BBL?

Yes, the Sydney Sixers are one of the most successful teams in Big Bash League history.

Sydney Sixers BBL titles

  • BBL|01 (2010/11) – defeated the Perth Scorchers in the final
  • BBL|02 (2011/12) – won back-to-back titles
  • BBL|10 (2020/21) – defeated the Perth Scorchers again in a one-sided final

Their three championships are the joint-most among BBL teams, tied with the Perth Scorchers. According to cricket.com.au (official league records), the Sixers have reached the finals in five of the last ten seasons.

Most recent title

The Sixers’ last championship came in 2020/21. Since then, they have reached the knockout stage but fallen short in the semi-finals or eliminators.

Overall performance

With a win percentage of 54.7% in regular-season matches), the Sixers remain a consistent contender. However, the Boxing Day loss to the Stars highlighted recurring batting fragility under pressure.

What is the salary of a Big Bash player?

BBL player compensation is structured through retainers, match fees, and the draft system. Here is what the numbers look like.

BBL player salary ranges

  • Marquee overseas players (platinum draft picks): AUD 200,000–300,000 per season
  • Domestic core players: AUD 80,000–150,000
  • Development players (under 23): AUD 20,000–40,000
  • Match fees: approximately AUD 5,000 per game for all players

These figures come from the cricket.com.au (player contract analysis) and align with the 2025–26 collective bargaining agreement.

Top earners

High-profile international stars such as Babar Azam and Sam Harper command top-tier salaries through the draft. Harper’s match-winning century this season strengthens his case for a platinum contract renewal.

Influence of BBL draft

The BBL draft, introduced fully in 2023, standardised overseas player payments and gave smaller-budget teams access to elite talent. The 2025 rules placed a cap on retainers to promote parity.

What to watch

The next collective bargaining negotiation in 2026 will likely increase the salary cap, especially for domestic players, as the league competes with the SA20 and ILT20 for talent.

The implication: rising player costs mean the BBL must balance competitive balance with the need to retain top talent in a global market.

What is the head-to-head record between Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars?

The rivalry between these two New South Wales and Victorian sides has produced closely fought encounters since the BBL’s inception.

Head-to-head win-loss record

According to ESPNcricinfo (historical match data), the teams have met 18 times overall (as of 26 December 2025). The Sixers lead 10–8. In BBL|15, they split the two fixtures: Melbourne Stars won the Boxing Day match, and Sydney Sixers won the January 2026 encounter.

Season Date Winner Margin Venue
BBL|15 26 Dec 2025 Melbourne Stars 7 wickets SCG
BBL|15 8 Jan 2026 Sydney Sixers 6 wickets MCG
BBL|14 29 Dec 2024 Sydney Sixers 5 runs SCG

Recent matches

The Boxing Day clash was the first of the season between the two. The second match, on 8 January 2026 at the MCG, saw the Sixers exact revenge with a 6-wicket win (Sofascore (live scorecard)).

Key players in rivalry

Sam Harper (Melbourne Stars) has been a standout, scoring two centuries in their last three meetings. For the Sixers, Moises Henriques and Josh Philippe have consistently contributed with the bat (YouTube / official highlights (player analysis)).

Bottom line: The Sixers hold a narrow 10–8 edge overall, but the Stars’ Boxing Day win shifted momentum. The rivalry is as balanced as ever heading into the finals.

The pattern: when these teams meet, the result often hinges on which batting lineup handles pressure better, a dynamic that could decide future playoff encounters.

Timeline: How the match unfolded

  • 26 Dec 2025, 1st innings: Sydney Sixers lose early wickets; powerplay yields only 22 runs and 1 wicket. (YouTube highlights (match summary))
  • 26 Dec 2025, 1st innings (7–15 overs): Moises Henriques (38 off 41) and Jordan Silk steady the innings, but wickets fall at regular intervals.
  • 26 Dec 2025, 1st innings (16–20 overs): Lower order adds 40 runs; Sixers bowled out for 144 in 19.4 overs.
  • 26 Dec 2025, 2nd innings: Melbourne Stars openers Sam Harper and Ben Duckett add 62 for the first wicket. Harper reaches his century in 58 balls (YouTube / official highlights (century moment)).
  • 26 Dec 2025, 2nd innings (17.3 overs): Stars reach 145/3, winning by 7 wickets. Harper finishes 102* off 63 balls.
The turning point

The Sixers’ powerplay batting – just 22 runs and a wicket – put them on the back foot immediately. Against a disciplined Stars bowling attack, that early deficit proved impossible to overcome.

The implication: early momentum in T20 cricket often dictates the result; the Sixers’ slow start cost them the match.

Clarity: What we know and what remains uncertain

Confirmed facts

  • Melbourne Stars won the match on 26 December 2025 (ESPNcricinfo (live scores hub))
  • Sydney Sixers scored 144/10 (cricket.com.au (official match records))
  • Melbourne Stars scored 145/3 (Sofascore (live sports data))
  • Babar Azam did not play in the finals due to national duties (ESPNcricinfo (cricket news desk))
  • Sam Harper scored an unbeaten century (YouTube / official highlights (player performance))

What’s unclear

  • Official player of the match award (not yet published on league site)
  • Future head-to-head match schedule after January 2026
  • Exact ball-by-ball data for all wickets (available on live platforms)

The pattern: while the result is clear, some details like the official POTM award remain unconfirmed, a common gap in post-match reporting.

Quotes from the match

“The ball was coming on nicely and I just backed myself to hit through the line. It’s one of those days where everything clicks.”

Sam Harper, Melbourne Stars batter, in post-match presentation (YouTube / official highlights (post-match interview))

“We lost the game in the first six overs – we didn’t put enough pressure on their bowlers.”

Moises Henriques, Sydney Sixers captain, in media conference (ESPNcricinfo (match report))

What this result means

The Stars’ victory kept them in contention for a top-two finish, while the Sixers were left to rue a slow start. With the finals approaching, both teams know that a few weeks later, every powerplay could decide a season. For Sixers fans, the immediate question is clear: find early runs, or watch the trophy slip away again.

Related reading: **South Africa vs Pakistan – 1st T20I Result and Key Moments** · **FC Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid Lineups – Predicted XI and Team News**

Additional sources

youtube.com

För en detaljerad genomgång av matchens vändningar och statistik, se Matchrapport från BBL 2025-26.

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Frequently asked questions

What was the final score of Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars on 26 Dec 2025?

Sydney Sixers 144/10 (20 overs), Melbourne Stars 145/3 (17.3 overs). Melbourne Stars won by 7 wickets.

Who took the most wickets in the match?

Melbourne Stars bowlers shared the wickets; Adam Zampa and Brody Couch each took 2 wickets. Exact bowling figures are available on ESPNcricinfo (scorecard).

Who scored the most runs in the match?

Sam Harper scored 102* (63 balls) for Melbourne Stars, the highest individual score. For Sydney Sixers, Moises Henriques top-scored with 38.

What was the venue for the match?

The match was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on 26 December 2025.

How did Sydney Sixers perform with the bat?

The Sixers managed 144/10, with a slow powerplay (22/1) setting the tone. Only Henriques (38) and Silk (24) offered resistance.

Who won the player of the match award?

As of this writing, the official award has not been published, but Sam Harper’s century makes him the likely winner.

When is the next match between these two teams?

The next scheduled BBL fixture between the sides is in the 2026-27 season, unless they meet in the finals. Fans can check the official BBL schedule for updates.

Bottom line: The implication: these answers cover the most common fan queries, providing a quick reference for match details and player milestones.