BBL Preview | Melbourne Stars seek to remain unbeaten against faltering Sydney Thunder

This season, the Stars seem to have a lot more confidence, especially with their attack, whereas the Thunder has had a bit of a rollercoaster ride in terms of performance. The Stars against falteringhave the benefit of getting a solid contribution from a number of players across both batting & bowling, whereas the Thunder tends to rely on individual heroes from some of their stronger batsmen & a few key bowling moments at the right times.

The match down in Canberra is a must-win for both teams - The stars are hoping to keep that winning streak alive and the Thunder need to start closing that gap in the standings.

Form Guide

The Melbourne Stars have been running hot of late, picking up 4 wins from their last 5 games. That kind of consistency is a real strength especially when it matters most in the games. The team looks like they're really starting to find their rhythm, with their batsmen and bowlers playing with a lot of confidence. And you get the feeling that they're pretty well balanced in both attack and defence.

The Thunder on the other hand, has had some pretty mixed results and that means they can have a bit of a wobble, especially in the middle of the game. To compete at a high level in every match they're really going to have to start playing more steadily.

Melbourne Stars: W L W W W

Sydney Thunder: W L L L W

MS vs ST Head-to-Head

In head to head clashes the Thunder have a slight edge, but its not a massive difference and the teams form this season could easily flip the script.

Recent results between the two show that the Thunder are coming out on top more often, but the Stars can still give it a real shake - especially if their batsmen are firing and their bowlers can keep the pressure on at key moments.

Melbourne Stars 10-12 Sydney Thunder

Pitch and Weather

Manuka Oval should have a pretty flat pitch which can be good for scoring around 160-170 pretty steadily.

And as for the weather in the evening - we're expecting clear skies and no real chance of heavy rain, with temps around 18-22 degrees and a gentle breeze. All of which should keep the game flowing without a hitch.

Of course the team that wins the toss might still want to have a bowl first, just in case the field gets a bit slippery due to dew.

Team News

The Stars build their game on depth. Harper and Kellaway can set a fast start, while players like Maxwell and Stoinis add stability. The Stars' bowlers, including Curran and Rauf, know how to control the tempo in the death overs.

The Thunder rely on the experience of Warner and Billings at the top of the order and performers like Shadab Khan, who is useful with both bat and ball.

Melbourne Stars (Probable XI): Thomas Rogers, Sam Harper (WK), Joe Clarke, Campbell Kellaway, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis (C), Hilton Cartwright, Tom Curran, Peter Siddle, Haris Rauf, Mitchell Swepson.

Sydney Thunder (Probable XI): David Warner (С), Sam Konstas, Cameron Bancroft, Oliver Davies, Sam Billings (WK), Daniel Sams, Shadab Khan, Chris Green, Nathan McAndrew, Reece Topley, Tanveer Sangha

Broadcasting Platforms

The Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder match will be broadcast online and on television. In Australia, the game will be available to watch on Channel 7, 7Plus, and via the Kayo Sports streaming service. International viewers will be able to follow the match via official partner platforms, where live streaming, highlights, and commentary will be available.