Melbourne Stars (MLS) face Adelaide Strikers (ADS) in the 34th match of Big Bash League 2025-26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on January 13, 2026. The Stars return home looking to break their poor MCG run this year, having lost both games at the venue so far. They get a big boost with English batter Joe Clarke back from injury, and the match marks a milestone with Sam Harper playing his 100th BBL game. With the Stars chasing momentum at home and the Strikers desperate to turn around their away form, this MCG contest sets up as a crucial clash for both sides. Let’s Break down with expert analysis, betting insights, team performance, pitch report, and our MLS vs ADS BBL 34th match prediction. Who will win today’s match?
Team Performance
Melbourne Stars: Team Preview & Performance
The Melbourne Renegades have hit their straps at just the right time, stringing together three wins on the bounce to get their BBL|15 campaign back on track. Last Sunday’s four-wicket win over the Melbourne Stars was particularly sweet, breaking a three-game losing streak against their cross-town rivals. If they can do the double over the Stars this season, it’ll only be the third time they’ve managed it in BBL history.
Tim Seifert’s been the standout performer with the bat, piling on 187 runs already. He’s only 13 short of reaching 200 for the season, which would make him the seventh Renegades player to hit that mark more than once—joining names like Aaron Finch, Sam Harper, and Shaun Marsh. The way the Renegades are playing right now, they’ll fancy their chances of keeping this run going.
Adelaide Strikers: Team Preview & Recent Performance
Adelaide Strikers travel to the MCG for their last away game of BBL|15 in poor form on the road. They’ve lost their past three matches away from Adelaide Oval, which isn’t quite as bad as the nine-game away losing streak they suffered from December 2022 to January 2024, but it’s still a concern heading into this clash. Currently sitting sixth on the table with a net run rate of -0.420, the Strikers need to turn things around quickly.
The Strikers are coming off a tough 32-run defeat to Perth Scorchers. The bowlers had a hard time on a belter of a pitch as the Scorchers racked up 232, though leg spinners Lloyd Pope (2-36) and Cameron Boyce (1-31) did well to pick up wickets. The chase got off to a flyer with skipper Matt Short and Alex Carey putting on 93 for the first wicket. Short made 52 before getting out, and Carey kept going with a cracking 71 off 39 balls. Cameron Boyce had a crack at the end, but the Strikers couldn’t get over the line.
Tim Paine has named his 13-man squad for Tuesday’s game at the MCG with one change. Wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi is back in the group, taking the spot of left-arm quick Luke Wood. The Strikers need to shake off their away-day blues and finish their road trips on a better note.
MLS vs ADS | 34th Match | Big Bash League 2025-26
Series: Big Bash League 2025-26
Date: 13 January 2026
Time: 7:15 PM Local | 8:15 AM GMT | 1:45 PM IST
Venue: Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
Streaming: Jio Hotstar & Star Sports Network
MLS vs ADS Today’s Match Weather Condition:
- Temperature: 20.3°C
- Humidity: 60%
- Rain: 0% Rain of chance
- Wind direction: SSE
- Wind speed: 6.1KPH
Also, check live BBL Match betting odds on trusted cricket betting sites.
MLS vs ADS Today’s Match Pitch Report & Condition
The MCG pitch offers a balanced contest between bat and ball, with early assistance for pacers and better conditions for chasers. First-innings scores usually hover around 165, and teams winning the toss often choose to bowl first, with chasing sides winning nearly 65% of matches.
MLS vs ADS – BBL Head-to-Head Records
Total matches played: 20
Melbourne Stars victories: 11
Adelaide Strikers victories: 9
Tie / No Result: 0
First-Ever BBL Meeting
Date: 18 December 2014
Venue: Adelaide Oval
Result: Adelaide Strikers secured an 8-wicket win
Most Recent BBL Clash
Date: 23 December 2025
Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Result: Melbourne Stars won by 6 wickets
Player of the Match: Tom Curran
MLS vs ADS – Probable Playing XI (BBL 34th Match 2026)
Melbourne Stars Predicted Playing XI: Tom Rogers, Sam Harper (wk), Campbell Kellaway, Blake Macdonald, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis (c), Hilton Cartwright, Mitch Swepson, Tom Curran, Haris Rauf, Peter Siddle
Adelaide Strikers Predicted Playing XI: Matthew Short (c), Alex Carey, Chris Lynn, Liam Scott, Mackenzie Harvey (wk), Jamie Overton, Harry Manenti, Luke Wood, Hasan Ali, Cameron Boyce, Lloyd Pope
BBL Betting Insights for MLS vs ADS BBL 34th Match 2026
- Who will win the toss Today: MLR won the toss and elect to Bowl first.
- Top Batter Performance: Sam Harper
- Top Bowler Performance: Lloyd Pope
- Today’s BBL betting tips: Team chasing are safe bet to play today’s BBL 34th match 2026.
BBL match Prediction: Team chasing are favourites to win today’s BBL 34th Match 2026.
Melbourne Stars vs Adelaide Strikers | BBL 34th Match Prediction
Scenario 1
Toss outcome: MLS win and choose to bowl first
ADS expected score: 165–175
Match result prediction: Melbourne Stars to win the BBL 34th match 2026
Scenario 2
Toss outcome: ADS win and choose to bowl first
MLS expected score: 170–180
Match result prediction: Adelaide Strikers to win the BBL 34th match 2026