Thunder vs Stars, 14th Match at Canberra, BBL, Dec 28 2025 - Match Result

That wraps up our coverage for today! Thank you for tuning in and following along with us. Be sure to join us again tomorrow for more live action. Until then, this is Rashad Mahbub, signing off on behalf of Vairavan Karuppiah and the entire team here at ESPNcricinfo. Take care!

Marcus Stoinis: "[Four wins from four] I'm incredibly proud of the boys. It's one thing to talk about plans in meetings, but watching them actually execute out there is another. The plans might be simple, but that doesn't make them easy to pull off. I'm especially proud of the bowling unit; tonight we had five individual wicket-takers, everyone playing their role perfectly. Haris missed out on the wickets last game, but he bounced back tonight with three. He bowled a crucial Powerplay over that swung the momentum back to us. Even Mitch Swepson had to bowl a bit defensively in his first couple of games at the MCG against guys like Tim David, and he did that job well. Tonight, he got the chance to attack and picked up two wickets. [Bowler Stoinis] It is nice! With guys like Siddle, Haris, and TC [Curran] bowling so fast at one end, the opposition thinks they can target me, but they shouldn't underestimate me! [New start of the campaign] To be honest, I think we built this foundation last year. Even though it was a tough start, coming back to win five games after five losses is hard for any team in the world. When we walked back into the dressing room this year, it felt like not much had changed. The boys are confident and clear on the messaging. We understand that this is hard to do, but we are following the plans. There can be a hangover from previous seasons, and the pressure on the Stars is always talked about. I think the way we've structured this year has shifted the responsibility. We are asking guys like Sam Harper, Joe Clarke, and Campbell Kellaway to step up. We are giving them the opportunity and backing them 100%. [Captaincy role] It's pretty simple for me: I'll back these boys to the hilt, but I also demand a lot. I have high expectations. I learned from guys like Finchy [Finch] that while there might be moments in the field where I'm yelling to get someone's attention, my main message is: once you're in this tent, I've got your back 100%. We're here to win and we're going to go after the opposition. [Melbourne Derby] Looking forward to it."

Player of the Match, Haris Rauf: "I always love to play in the Big Bash. I have played a lot of cricket here and basically grew up as a cricketer in Australia, so I always love returning. As a bowling unit, we assessed the conditions well. The most important thing is that we have good communication with each other and pass the messages along. Especially Marcus Stoinis; he is doing very well and has a great cricketing mind. I am always listening to him; he makes it easy for me. All the boys are happy. Winning four games in a row is great, especially because we have gelled so well as a team and are enjoying every moment of the game. [Weather change] I am freezing too! Thank God we won the toss and bowled first."

Maxi: "Maxwell is in hurry to finish this match for a good sleep..."

10:09 pm The Stars came out with all guns blazing, led by an aggressive Joe Clarke who found the boundary with ease. The Powerplay, a staggering 52 runs, with Clarke accounting for 43 of them, is a clear indicator of his dominance. The opening pair shared an 86-run stand before Clarke was finally dismissed for 60 in the 10th over, thanks to an extraordinary catch by Matthew Gilkes. The Stars maintained their momentum through the Power Surge, adding 20 runs as Glenn Maxwell began his trademark assault with the bat, utilizing reverse sweeps and slogs to pick apart the bowling. Maxwell and Sam Harper guided the Stars to a comfortable victory with 36 balls to spare, keeping their perfect record intact. For the Thunder, this defeat sees them slip down one spot to 7th on the ladder. Stay tuned for the post-match presentation coming up shortly!

Melbourne Stars won by 9 wickets

Sangha joins the attack

Kiran: "The thing i like about this tournament is they give debutants opportunities at key times in the game. Hadley bowling to Maxwell in the power surge, yesterday Balkin bowling the final over for the Heat. That's how you learn "

Shadab to bowl out

MC: "'without needing any contributions from the Big Show'...as a batsman, you mean. He's been exceptional as their opening bowler lol"

Hadley to bowl the second Surge over

Mustafa Moudi: "Fun Fact: That Six was the first Boundary for Maxwell and also that took him to the highest score this season. Really difficult to believe that Stars are dominating this season without needing any contributions from The Big Show !!"