Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

BBL09 Match 19: ST vs MS Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report BBL09 Match Prediction Today | Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars Prediction Today | Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars Key Players | ST vs MS Dream11 Prediction

It is like Sydney Thunder can’t escape the drama. Whether it’s the Gabba lights of last season, the smoke of Canberra or thrilling contests, there always seems to be talking points from a Thunder match.

It could very well be the case again as they take on Melbourne Stars, one of the favourites for the BBL09 Title. The Stars have enjoyed a strong start to their campaign, leaving Launceston last time out with two points in a rain-affected match.

This one could genuinely go either way in the first game at Spotless Stadium in BBL09.

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Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Callum Ferguson is unstoppable at the moment. The current gold-cap holder has scores of 73*, 4 (poor LBW decision), 27*, 52 and 73 so far in BBL09.
• Marcus Stoinis was man-of-the-match in the Stars’ last meeting vs Thunder.
• Daniel Sams vs Stars last season: 34 (21), 41 (25) and 3/5, 1/28. Also, Sams has taken nine wickets in five games in BBL09.
• Usman Khawaja vs Stars: 249 runs at average of 62.25 and SR: 154.66.
• Peter Handscomb: Finding form? His last two knocks: 34 and 22*.
• Nick Larkin vs Thunder: 2 matches, 69 runs, no dismissals. Also, Nic Maddinson scored 339 runs in 12 matches vs Thunder when he was playing for the Sixers.
• Surprisingly, Glenn Maxwell averages just 19 in seven matches vs Thunder. However, he has looked good for runs in BBL09, and could bowl more overs as Sandeep Lamichhane is out.
• Haris Rauf is back in the Stars squad as an injury replacement player for Sandeep Lamichhane. He has seven wickets in two BBL09 games, including a superb 5/27.
• Chris Morris in BBL09: 2/31, 2/36, 2/37.
• Adam Zampa vs Thunder: Seven wickets in five matches.
• Dale Steyn and Nathan Coulter-Nile are both coming off two wickets each in the last game.
• Chris Green has just three wickets in five BBL09 games. However, he returns to Sydney Showground Stadium, where he has enjoyed success. Plus, he has seven wickets in five games vs Stars.

Head-to-Head

• Matches 10, Thunder 6, Stars 4.
• Sydney Thunder have won five of the past six meetings.

Key to a Sydney Thunder win

Sydney Thunder’s top three has a key role to play in not exposing the middle order to Stars’ well-rounded attack. Usman Khawaja and Callum Ferguson are coming off good scores, and if they, along with Alex Hales, can deliver a strong start, the Thunder could be on for a good score.

Also, can the Thunder expose Glenn Maxwell as early as possible? It could be vital that they force him to rebuild the innings, rather than come in and play with total freedom on a ground with shortish straight boundaries.

Key to a Melbourne Stars win

Melbourne Stars’ possible attack looks a good one. Dale Steyn, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Haris Rauf, Daniel Worrall, Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell have it in them to maintain pressure on the Thunder right throughout the innings. Can they get the better of the Thunder top three?

Also, plenty rests on the Stars’ batting. Glenn Maxwell can cause carnage in the final half of the innings, so it’s on the Stars’ top order to set an excellent platform.

Possible Playing 11

Sydney Thunder have named an unchanged 13-man squad from their win in Adelaide on NYE. With Chris Morris and Daniel Sams contributing well, it makes sense for the Thunder to persist with three spinners.

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

Haris Rauf is in the Stars’ 13-man squad as an injury replacement player for Sandeep Lamichhane. So, the Stars could go for a four-man pace attack, with Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell to possibly carry the load as the spin options.

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

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Sydney Showground Stadium Pitch Report and Conditions

The worst bushfires across New South Wales in memory will see smoke haze linger over Sydney again. The forecast is for 26 degrees and some cloud cover.

In terms of the pitch, the Spotless Stadium surface is usually on the slower side. This brings the spinners/slower balls in the game, as well as the top order batsmen from each side to take advantage of the harder ball/powerplay.

In this game, spinners could build pressure that the pacers can benefit from with wickets.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Also read: Dream11 content for you to enjoy on CricBlog:

• 6 tips to increase chances of winning in Dream11
• MyTeam11 vs Dream11: Which is better for you?
• Pros and cons of Dream11’s deadline decision

Match Prediction

Melbourne Stars have a star-studded lineup. However, that means nothing if the performance is poor.

Sydney Thunder have been excellent with inexperience in their team. This game could come down to the team bowling second defending a score.

Thanks for reading!

Also read: Is cricket blogging something you are looking to pursue more of in 2020? Download my free E-Book for tips!