ST vs MS Match Preview

Melbourne Stars secured their debut in the BBL finals until the 2019-20 season by overcoming a 0-5 start with five consecutive victories. They will now face third-placed Sydney Thunder for the knockout final at Engie Stadium on Wednesday night. Surprisingly, the Stars' last loss came against the Thunder on December 28. Since then, the Stars have been unstoppable, led by dynamic captain Glen Maxwell. In contrast, the Thunder have had some inconsistent performances. Given their present momentum, the Stars are expected to be favorites in this knockout clash.

ST vs MS Match Details 

Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars – Knockout Match, Big Bash League 2024-25

Venue: Sydney Showground, Sydney

Date & Time: 22th January 2025 at 02:00 PM IST 

Live Streaming: FanCode

ST vs MS Venue Stats

ST vs MS Pitch Report

The pitch is ideal for batting because the ball comes easily onto the bat. Bowlers have a difficult time here, and the side that bats first must keep a target score of 130 runs in mind, and the average first-innings score is 183.

ST vs MS Weather Report

There will be clear skies, and we expect a batting-friendly wicket where fast bowlers will struggle. 

ST vs MS Last Five Matches

ST vs MS Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

Also Read: New vice-captain of team India: Hero of T20 World Cup Final

ST vs MS Probable Playing XIs:

Melbourne Stars Probable Playing XIs

Sydney Thunder Probable Playing XIs

Oliver Davies, David Warner (c), Matthew Gilkes, Sam Billings (wk), George Garton, Hugh Weibgen, Chris Green, Daniel Christian, Nathan McAndrew, Tom Andrews, Mohammad Hasnain/ Tanveer Sangha

Topmost Picks for ST vs MS Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – Melbourne Stars

• Glenn Maxwell – Glenn Maxwell has been pivotal in turning the Stars' fortunes around, scoring an explosive unbeaten 76 from just 32 balls, including six sixes.
• Mark Steketee –  Mark Steketee has been consistent, claiming 15 wickets with an economy rate of 6.97

Top Picks – Sydney Thunder

• David Warner – David Warner has been instrumental in providing the team with regular solid starts, scoring 346 runs in 9 innings.
• Chris Green –  Chris Green has been the primary threat for the Thunder, taking 11 wickets in 8 innings while maintaining an economy rate of 7.32.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for ST vs MS Dream11 Team:

Sam Billings, Matthew Gilkes, Sam Harper, David Warner, Glenn Maxwell(C), Marcus Stoinis(VC), George Garton, Chris Green, Tom Andrews, Usama Mir, Mark Steketee

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for ST vs MS Dream11 Team:

Sam Billings, Hilton Cartwright, David Warner(C), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, George Garton, Tom Curran, Chris Green(VC), Tom Andrews, Usama Mir, Mark Steketee

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Glenn Maxwell, David Warner

Vice-captain – Marcus Stoinis, Chris Green

Wicketkeeper – Sam Billings

ST vs MS Probable Winners:

With five consecutive victories propelling them forward, the Melbourne Stars have emerged as a legitimate threat when they enter the knockout stage. The Thunder, on the other hand, have had a solid season but are hoping to improve on their inconsistent play.  Unfortunately with the Thunder, injuries have hampered their squad, and they may struggle against a Stars team that is in top form and has nothing to lose. Given the present performances of both teams, we predict a Stars victory in the Knockout final. Considering the team combination, Sydney Thunder is expected to win this match.

The Stars are on a roll. Maxwell helped his side storm into the playoffs after the start they got and this could be a season for them to do magic. They have David Warner and co against them though but Maxwell has certainly given the stars momentum coming into the clash.

ST vs MS Match Details

Date January 22nd, 2025

Time: 2:00 PM IST

Venue: Sydney Showgrounds Stadium

ST vs MS Weather Report

Clear weather and a nice evening is expected for the game.

ST vs MS Pitch Report

The Showgrounds stadium can be pretty dry and get better for bowling towards the back of the season. Batting second though could be better to start with.

ST vs MS Predicted Playing XI

ST Playing XI

Sam Konstas, David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Oliver Davies, Sam Billings, Sherfane Rutherford, Daniel Sams, Chris Green, Nathan McAndrew, Tanveer Sangha, Lockie Ferguson

MS Playing XI

Joe Clarke, Sam Harper, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Hilton Cartwright, Tom Curran, Beau Webster, Adam Milne, Joel Paris, Peter Siddle, Usama Mir

ST vs MS Key Players

Glenn Maxwell

Tough times call for some inspiration. Stars, in Glenn Maxwell have possibly the best Aussie T20 Cricketer and they will badly be wanting him to stand up and make an impact.

Daniel Sams

Sams the all-rounder has started the tournament well. His bowling was not the greatest but his batting will definitely be something that makes Thunder happy.

See Also: T20 World Cup 2024: Top 5 captains of the tournament

ST vs MS Match Tips

Melbourne Stars are on a role and will start favorites.

Match Prediction: Melbourne Stars Will Win the Match

The Stars are on their way out here with four losses in a row. Their intent hasn't been the greatest with some close games going against them. They have been taking games deep both with bat and ball but the fortunes have not favoured them so far.

ST vs MS Match Details

Date: November 20th, 2024

Time:  12:40 PM IST

Venue: Drummoyne Oval, Sydney

ST vs MS Weather Report

Clear weather and a nice morning is expected for the game.

ST vs MS Pitch Report

The Drummoyne Oval hasn't seen too much Cricket this season and should be pretty fresh. Batting second on a good outfield and flattish track would be a better choice.

ST vs MS Predicted Playing XI

ST Playing XI

Chamari Athapaththu, Georgia Voll, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia Wilson, Georgia Adams, Anika Learoyd, Sammy Jo Johnson, Ella Briscoe, Hannah Darlington, Shabmin Ismail, Samantha Bates

MS Playing XI

Yastika Bhatia, Ines McKeon, Meg Lanning, Annabel Sutherland, Rhys McKenna, Marizanne Kapp, Tess Flintoff, Kim Garth, Sasha Moloney, Sophie Day, Maisey Gibson

ST vs MS Key Players

Chamari Athapaththu

The Sri Lankan captain is another player who is handy with both bat and ball. She is full of experience and while she didn't get off to a good start with the bat, her bowling is proving to be pretty useful.

Rhys McKenna

Rhys is off to an explosive start. She finished the innings well in the previous game and has the ability to pierce that gaps while timing the ball over the ropes well too.

See Also: T20 World Cup 2024: Top 5 captains of the tournament

ST vs MS Match Tips

Both sides are in good form but Sydney Thunder may feel a little more confident given how their experienced heads have come back to form in the last couple of games.

Match Prediction: Sydney Thunder Will Win the Match

ST-W vs MS-W Match Preview

The Sydney Thunder Women will face the Melbourne Stars Women in the 33rd match of the 2024 Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) on Wednesday at Sydney's Drummoyne Oval. Sydney Thunder are currently at the top of the table, with 11 points from eight games and a net run rate of 0.291. Meanwhile, the Stars, who have only four points from seven games and a net run rate of -0.094, are desperate for a win. In their current form, however, the Thunder will have an advantage in this matchup.

ST-W vs MS-W Match Details

Sydney Thunder-W vs Melbourne Stars-W – 33th Match, WBBL 2024

Venue: Drummoyne Oval, Sydney

Date & Time: 20th November 2024 at 12:40 PM IST 

Live Streaming: Disney+Hotstar

ST-W vs MS-W Venue Stats

ST-W vs MS-W Pitch Report

The new ball would proceed around a little in the early overs, so bowlers needed to make an impact. The team batting first will need to score 160 runs, with the average first-inning score being 143 runs.

ST-W vs MS-W Weather Report

There would be unusual clouds over ground, but the pitch would be ideal for batting.  

ST-W vs MS-W Last Five Matches

ST-W vs MS-W Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

Also Read: South African pacer handed one demerit point

ST-W vs MS-W Probable Playing XIs:

Melbourne Stars-W Probable Playing XIs

Yastika Bhatia (wk), Annabel Sutherland (c), Meg Lanning, Marizanne Kapp, Tess Flintoff, Rhys McKenna, Deepti Sharma, Kim Garth, Sasha Moloney, Maisy Gibson, Sophie Day

Sydney Thunder-W Probable Playing XIs

Georgia Voll, Chamari Athapaththu, Phoebe Litchfield (c), Georgia Adams, Anika Learoyd, Tahlia Wilson (wk), Sammy-Jo Johnson, Hannah Darlington, Taneale Peschel, Shabnim Ismail, Samantha Bates

Topmost Picks for ST-W vs MS-W Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – Sydney Thunder-W

• Georgia Voll – Opener Georgia Voll has been their star batter this year, amassing 288 runs in just 8 innings at an average of 41.14 and a strike rate of 147.
• Samantha Bates – Samantha Bates has stood out with 17 wickets in 8 innings at an economy of 6.42.

Top Picks – Melbourne Stars-W

• Yastika Bhatia – Yastika Bhatia tops the batting charts with 154 runs in 6 innings at an average of 25 and a strike rate of 105.
• Kim Garth – The bowling unit has been led by her, who has 9 wickets in 7 innings at an economy of 6.61. 

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for ST-W vs MS-W Dream11 Team:

Yastika Bhatia, Meg Lanning, Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Annabel Sutherland(C), Marizanne Kapp, Chamari Athapaththu, Kim Garth, Hannah Darlington, Shabnim Ismail, Samantha Bates(VC)

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for ST-W vs MS-W Dream11 Team:

Yastika Bhatia, Meg Lanning, Phoebe Litchfield, Rhys McKenna, Georgia Voll, Annabel Sutherland, Marizanne Kapp, Chamari Athapaththu(C), Kim Garth(VC), Shabnim Ismail, Samantha Bates

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Chamari Athapaththu, Annabel Sutherland

Vice-captain – Samantha Bates, Kim Garth

Wicketkeeper – Yastika Bhatia

ST-W vs MS-W Probable Winners:

The Sydney Thunder Women and Melbourne Stars Women experienced contrasting fortunes this WBBL season, finishing at opposite ends of the points table. The Thunder have lost only two games this season and appear to have most bases covered. Meanwhile, the Stars have struggled in both areas and are low on confidence after losing four straight games. As a result, we believe the Sydney Thunder are the favorites to win this match. Considering the team combination, Melbourne Stars-W is expected to win this match.