Last season, Sydney Thunder finished third and were eliminated from the playoffs in the Knockout match against Strikers. Last year, the Melbourne Stars won both of their matches against SYT and will be eager to continue their dominance.
The two teams will meet at Canberra’s Manuka Oval. It promises to be a fitting start to the new Big Bash season, with some big-hitting players on both teams.
This year, the Sydney Thunder have a new captain in Chris Green, while the Melbourne Stars have signed Trent Boult, New Zealand’s top T20 bowler.
This season, the Stars’ bowling department will feature fewer players. Little has changed in the batting order, and only their performance can help them improve on last year’s results.
Sydney Thunder appear to be stronger and sharper after a few changes to their squad, and they have even kept their core intact.
The 1st Match between Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars will take place on December 4th, 2022 at Manuka Oval, Canberra.
Match Details to Note
Match: Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars, 1st Match, Big Bash League 2022-23
Date: December 13, 2022 (Tuesday)
Time: 1:45 PM IST
Venue: Manuka Oval, Canberra
Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars
Sydney Thunder (Match Odds – 1.80):
Preview:
Sydney Thunder has a strong overall squad and is one of the top-performing teams in the Big Bash League. They have a deep batting lineup and a solid pace attack that consistently delivers.
The absence of former captain and opening batsman Usman Khawaja from their squad is a significant change from last year. While Chris Green will serve as captain this season, SYT has added Rilee Rossouw to their roster.
This, combined with the return of David Warner, significantly strengthens their batting lineup. Alex Hales, who helped England win the T20 World Cup in Australia, is another player to watch.
In the finisher’s role lower down the order, Daniel Sams will be the one to watch. As there is no Ben Cutting in the squad this time, Chris Green, Alex Ross, and Daniel Sams will be tasked with finishing the innings for Sydney Thunder.
In addition, Sam Billings has been released, and the team will rely on Matthew Gilkes and Baxter Holt to lead the charge in the middle order.
Tanveer Sangha and Nathan McAndrew, two key bowlers in the SYT squad, will continue to lead the bowling attack. Usman Qadir, a right-arm leg-break bowler, has been a key addition to the Thunder this season.
Full Squad:
Oliver Davies, Brendan Doggett, Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Alex Hales, Baxter Holt, Nathan McAndrew, Alex Ross, Rilee Rossouw, Daniel Sams, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, David Warner, David Willey (withdrawn), Fazalhaq Farooqi (replacing David Willey, first nine matches only), Ben Cutting, Usman Qadir, Gurinder Sandhu
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Possible Playing XI:
Alex Hales, David Warner, Matthew Gilkes (wk), Baxter Holt, Olivier Davies, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Nathan McAndrew, Chris Green (c), Tanveer Sangha, Usman Qadir
Melbourne Stars (Match Odds – 2.00):
Preview:
Glenn Maxwell must have been devastated after missing out on a playoff spot the previous year. His team finished sixth with 26 points, 7 wins, and 7 losses.
Adelaide Strikers finished fourth with six wins and eight losses, two points more than Melbourne Stars, and qualified for the playoffs.
That was made possible by the new BBL rules that were implemented a few seasons ago. Maxwell does not want the same thing to happen this season and would prefer to start with a winning streak.
They have a good record against SYT, having beaten them both at home and away last year. With the addition of Trent Boult, the Stars’ bowling attack is looking particularly lethal.
They have reduced the number of bowlers who were on the squad last season. The pace attack will be led by Liam Hatcher, Boult, and Coulter-Nile, with Zampa holding the key to success in the spin department.
Maxwell is also an important spin bowler who adds variety to the MLS bowling attack. If Maxwell includes bowling all-rounder Luke Wood in his playing XI, he will have a plethora of bowling options as well as a strong batting lineup.
Marcus Stoinis will be a key player to keep an eye on in the batting order. The Melbourne Stars’ batting lineup also includes Nick Larkin, Joe Clarke, and Hilton Cartright.
Full Squad:
Trent Boult, Joe Burns, Hilton Cartwright, Joe Clarke, Brody Couch, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Liam Hatcher, Clint Hinchliffe, Nick Larkin, Glenn Maxwell (c), Stoinis, Beau Webster, Luke Wood, Adam Zampa, Campbell Kellaway
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Possible Playing XI:
Marcus Stoinis, Joe Clarke (wk), Nick Larkin, Glenn Maxwell (c), Hilton Cartwright, Luke Wood, Beau Webster, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa, Trent Boult, Liam Hatcher
Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars Toss Prediction
Teams batting second have won 12 of the Manuka Oval’s 19 domestic T20 matches. Both teams have some heavy hitters capable of chasing down a total. When winning the toss, it is in both teams’ best interests to bowl first.
Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars Pitch Report
The season opener between Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars will take place at Manuka Oval in Canberra. The average first-inning score at this venue is 169 runs, and only four teams have scored less than 150 runs here. The first match of the BBL 2022-23 season is expected to be high-scoring.
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Manuka Oval is a good batting wicket with good bounce and carry. Batters have traditionally enjoyed playing at this venue due to the favourable pitch. The weather in Canberra is expected to be mostly sunny with a high of 18 degrees Celsius on match day.
Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars Prediction
The Melbourne Stars’ bowling attack appears to be solid and has previously troubled SYT. With Boult in the lineup this time, they appear to be even stronger and more dangerous on the powerplay. The Sydney Thunder, on the other hand, has a slightly stronger batting lineup with experienced big hitters. In our match prediction, SYT will start as favourites. Check out the odds at Cricbaba!
Sydney Thunder is the favourite to beat Melbourne Stars at the odds of 1.80.
Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars Most Recommended Player for Bet:
Alex Hales has the seventh-most T20 runs (302) at Manuka Oval in Canberra, with an average of 23.23 and a strike rate of 140.47. The dynamic opener has 189 runs in seven innings against the Melbourne Stars, with an average of 27.00 and a strike rate of 135.00.
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