Melbourne Stars have registered a comfortable 21-run victory over Sydney Sixers in their Big Bash T20 League clash.

Stars set a victory target of 178 runs for their opponents on Friday after ending their innings on 177-6, but Sixers could only muster 156 runs for the loss of five wickets.

Batsmen Glenn Maxwell and Brad Hodge were the key players for the home side, as they scored 82 runs off 50 balls and 51 off 33 respectively to set up the first century stand of the BBL season.

Shane Warne took two wickets for 32 runs for Stars to help them register their third successive win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Reigning champion Sixers now have one win and two losses from their three matches.