Last Updated on 4 days by Charbel Coorey

BBL09 Challenger: MS vs ST Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | MS vs ST Dream11 | Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder Preview Dream11 | Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder Key Players to Watch | MS vs ST Dream11 Prediction Today

We’ve been here before. Many times, actually.

Melbourne Stars’ playoffs woes were relived last Friday, courtesy of an abysmal 99 all-out that has raised the pressure on them once again. Fighting off the “choker” tag as much as they are fighting for their first BBL Title, eyes will be on the Stars as to whether they can cope with the pressure.

So, an amazing opportunity awaits Sydney Thunder. They have picked up two superb wins in the playoffs, beating Hurricanes and Strikers away from home. Now, they will look to prey on the mental scars of the Stars, to reach their second ever BBL Final in their second ever BBL playoffs appearance.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Marcus Stoinis has been named BBL09 Player of the Tournament. Also, Stonis will want to send a message to the selectors, after being left out of Australia’s white-ball teams for the South Africa tour.
• Stoinis scored a half century in both meetings vs Thunder this season.
• However, the most in-form batsman out of these two sides is Alex Hales. He has scored 446 runs in his last 10 innings at 49.56, with his last five scores reading: 85, 63, 47, 60 and 59.
• Usman Khawaja enjoys playing Stars. He has the most runs (283) of any active player in Thunder-Stars matches, averaging 47.
• Glenn Maxwell, after an incredible middle phase of the season, has been a little quiet in recent matches: 12, 19, 1 and 16. However, his 59* (37) vs Thunder on this ground was one of the knocks of the season.
• Nick Larkin could be a key man for Stars. He enjoys playing Thunder, with 140 runs and just two dismissals.
• It is a big game also for Callum Ferguson. He copped a howler LBW decision last game, after getting a start in Hobart.
• Daniel Sams has taken an incredible 30 wickets in BBL09. He has only gone wicketless once in 16 matches.
• Chris Morris has also been superb, sitting third with 20 wickets in 14 matches.
• Haris Rauf took a hat-trick vs Thunder on this ground in BBL09. He is always a key bowler, with 17 wickets in eight games. Six have come vs Thunder.
• Adam Zampa is just as important. He is in terrific form, particularly in Melbourne, where his last four innings read: 3/21, 3/27, 1/22, 2/19. He also has the equal-most wickets in Stars-Thunder games (9).
• Jono Cook’s last two games: 4/21 and 2/16.

Head-to-Head

• Matches 12, Stars 6, Thunder 6.
• Thunder have won four of six matches vs Stars at the MCG.
• Stars won both meetings vs Thunder in BBL09.

Key to a Melbourne Stars win

It’s a mental game as much as anything. The big question is whether the Stars will handle the pressure of the occasion after dominating much of the league stage. So, Marcus Stoinis will undoubtedly be key in giving them a good start, but as last year’s BBL Final showed, the middle order can’t rely only on Glenn Maxwell to deliver.

The bowlers, though, are usually strong in knockout matches. Led by Adam Zampa, the Stars didn’t concede a single boundary in the last eight overs vs Sixers, and more of the same here will give them a good shot at victory.

Key to a Sydney Thunder win

Could you imagine the panic that could sink through the Stars’ camp if Marcus Stoinis is dismissed early? Eyes will be on Daniel Sams as to what inroads he can make in the powerplay. Also, can the likes of Chris Morris and Jono Cook make an impact early in their spells?

However, how the Thunder top three fare, led by Alex Hales, could also dictate the result. The Stars’ will be banking on their bowlers to keep the runs down, so if the Thunder get runs on the board either setting or chasing a total, old memories can haunt the Stars.

Possible Playing 11

Melbourne Stars have named an unchanged 13-man squad from their loss in the Qualifier vs Sydney Sixers.

The key questions for Stars include whether they:

• Continue with the out-of-form Nic Maddinson at opener
• Bring Glenn Maxwell up the order
• Include Ben Dunk in the playing XI over Clint Hinchliffe, who only bowled one over vs Sixers.

Melbourne Stars: 1. Nic Maddinson, 2. Marcus Stoinis 3. Nick Larkin, 4. Peter Handscomb, 5. Glenn Maxwell (c), 6. Seb Gotch (wk), 7. Nathan Coulter-Nile, 8. Clint Hinchliffe, 9. Adam Zampa, 10. Haris Rauf, 11. Daniel Worrall

For Sydney Thunder, Matthew Gilkes has been included as a back-up keeper for Jay Lenton, who is expecting the birth of his first child at any moment.

Sydney Thunder: 1. Usman Khawaja, 2. Alex Hales, 3. Callum Ferguson (c), 4. Alex Ross, 5. Arjun Nair, 6. Chris Morris, 7. Daniel Sams, 8. Matthew Gilkes/Jay Lenton (wk), 9. Brendan Doggett, 10. Chris Tremain/Nathan McAndrew, 11. Jono Cook

MCG Pitch Report and Conditions

The MCG pitch was on the slow side in last week’s Qualifier. With plenty of cricket played on the square this summer, it could be slow again for this match.

In terms of the weather, a top of 27 degrees and late smoke haze is forecast for Melbourne. Rain is expected to be minimal.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

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Match Prediction

Will the Stars overcome their playoff woes, or will they falter again?

The Stars will be tested mentally, especially if they are required to chase. Sydney Thunder have a massive chance to win this game against a side with a bad record in these types of matches, and could very well do so.

Will step out on a limb here and say Thunder will get the job done, and consign Stars to further BBL woe.

Thanks for reading!