The trio shared nine wickets as the Stars were bowled out for 128, slipping to a third straight defeat in the Big Bash League

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Ben Dwarshuis starred with a four-wicket haul as Sydney Sixers continued their strong Big Bash League run, sealing a comfortable five-wicket victory over Melbourne Stars at the MCG. Chasing a modest target of 129, the Sixers reached the total with ease to register their third consecutive win of the season.

Dwarshuis narrowly missed out on becoming the first Sixers men’s player to claim a hat-trick, but his impact with the ball was decisive. The left-arm seamer led a disciplined bowling performance that saw the Stars bundled out for 128 in 19.5 overs. Lachlan Shaw played a brisk finishing role with an unbeaten 24 off 14 balls, while Jordan Silk provided calm support as the visitors cruised home.

The win further strengthens Sixers’ title credentials, with reinforcements on the way in the form of Test stars Mitchell Starc and Steve Smith, along with offspinner Todd Murphy, expected to feature later in the tournament. In contrast, the Stars’ campaign has taken a downturn, suffering their third loss in succession after a promising start.

Sixers were rarely troubled during the chase, maintaining control throughout. Josh Philippe top-scored with a fluent 35 off 25 deliveries, while Stars captain Marcus Stoinis battled hard in the field to inspire a comeback that never quite materialised.

Earlier, left-arm spinner Joel Davies played a key role in restricting the Stars after they were sent in to bat. The hosts struggled to lift their scoring rate, with only brief periods of acceleration. Stoinis and Blake Macdonald were the top scorers, but both fell victim to Dwarshuis.

The turning point came in the 18th over when Dwarshuis bowled a double-wicket maiden, dismissing Stoinis and Haris Rauf off consecutive deliveries. He came close to a historic hat-trick, but tailender Liam Hatcher survived by shouldering arms to a length delivery outside off stump.

Jack Edwards also made an impact, helping restrict the Stars to 2 for 17 during the power surge and removing key batter Glenn Maxwell, who continued his lean run with the bat after mistiming a shot into the deep.

The Stars will look to arrest their slide when they face cross-town rivals Melbourne Renegades on Saturday, while the Sixers return home to host Hobart Hurricanes the following day.