Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey

Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder Preview + Dream11

Team from Melbourne. Another from Sydney. Metricon Stadium at the Gold Coast is the venue.

The BBL continues to promote cricket at the Gold Coast, this time with no Brisbane Heat, as two sides with almost opposite starts to the season to go head-to-head.

Melbourne Stars started the season with two straight defeats, but have bounced back with two convincing wins. Their all-rounders have all made a mark one way or another in BBL08 so far, and have the chance to continue the momentum. Currently in fifth with an excellent net run rate of 0.595, the Stars have a chance to leapfrog Sydney Sixers, Sydney Thunder and Adelaide Strikers to move into second place on the BBL08 Table. A big opportunity awaits.

Conversely, Sydney Thunder started the season with two straight wins, followed by two straight defeats. They then won by the skin of their teeth against Perth Scorchers on a sluggish Spotless Stadium track, which was a welcome victory, despite further concerns about their ability to hold their nerve at the back-end of games. They come up against a side in form, which will be a good test of their mettle. The weather is forecast to be fine, but will it prove to be a ‘Thunderous’ day on the Gold Coast?

Key to a Melbourne Stars win

Melbourne Stars’ all-rounders, led by Marcus Stoinis, completely dismantled Melbourne Renegades on New Years Day. The all-rounder trio of Glenn Maxwell, Dwayne Bravo and Stoinis is good enough to give plenty of sides problems in this tournament, and you get the feeling they are hitting their groove. These three are key again with bat and ball, along with Adam Zampa and Scott Boland who have been bowling well for the Stars in a season where there was concern about their bowling depth. However, can they adequately replace Sandeep Lamichhane, who is now on Bangladesh Premier League duty?

Also, can Ben Dunk build on his start against Melbourne Renegades? He has seemingly fallen off the face of the earth in the last couple of seasons, and coming up against the in-form Jos Buttler, Dunk will be important to the Stars’ chances. Along with Nick Larkin, Seb Gotch and the Stars’ all-rounders, can the Stars counter the Thunder bowling at all three stages of the innings?

Key to a Sydney Thunder win

Jos Buttler continues to be crucial to the Thunders’ chances, along with the in-form Callum Ferguson, given the lack of return from Shane Watson and Joe Root. This Thunder top four on paper is excellent, and will be keen for a big showing with this being Buttler and Root’s second last match before heading to West Indies for England duty. With the Stars possessing fine all-rounders to bowl through the middle and death overs, the Thunder need a strong powerplay to set up the innings, ensuring there is at least one set batsman at the crease throughout the 20 overs, if possible.

Also, can the Thunder display greater composure in the death overs? They have been largely excellent in the powerplay and middle overs in BBL08, but have caused a few rises in blood pressure with their death overs efforts. Daniel Sams is a player who needs a return to form after a few difficult outings, but given the way the Thunder attack is working together, there is a lot to be optimistic about. Can the Thunder get the better of the Stars lineup, especially the all-rounders?

Predicted Playing XIs

Sandeep Lamichhane is now away on Bangladesh Premier League duty, replaced by England International Liam Plunkett in the Stars’ 13-man squad. Also, left arm wrist spinner Liam Bowe could get a game, after being drafted into the squad. Michael Beer is also an option.

Melbourne Stars XI: 1. Marcus Stoinis, 2. Ben Dunk, 3. Nick Larkin, 4. Glenn Maxwell (c), 5. Dwayne Bravo, 6. Seb Gotch (wk), 7. Evan Gulbis, 8. Liam Bowe/Michael Beer, 9. Adam Zampa, 10. Liam Plunkett, 11. Scott Boland

Jay Lenton has replaced Arjun Nair in Sydney Thunder’s 13-man squad, but expect the men in light green to play with the same XI that just beat Perth Scorchers.

Sydney Thunder XI: 1. Jos Buttler (wk), 2. Shane Watson, 3. Callum Ferguson, 4. Joe Root, 5. Jason Sangha, 6. Daniel Sams, 7. Chris Green, 8. Gurinder Sandhu, 9. Sam Rainbird, 10. Fawad Ahmed, 11. Jono Cook

Dream11 Prediction

Big game for both sides. Below is my Dream11 Team with a few pointers.

• Jos Buttler is too good to ignore.
• The day for Glenn Maxwell? Sandeep Lamichhane is no longer available, so Maxwell can look to fill in with a few overs. He has threatened to go big with the bat, too.
• Marcus Stoinis opening the batting and bowling quality overs makes him my captain choice.
• Callum Ferguson has been in fine touch. Jason Sangha has hit a bit of a roadblock, but had a great night out against the Stars earlier this season.
• Dwayne Bravo’s all-round capabilities gives him the nod.
• Spin to win for the Thunder, with Fawad Ahmed and Chris Green key wicket takers for them.

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-Head: Stars 3, Thunder 6.
• Sydney Thunder beat Melbourne Stars earlier in the season in Canberra.
• Daniel Sams was man of the match in that clash.

Prediction

On a bit of a prediction streak! Five straight in BBL08 now.

This game is one of the more difficult to predict.

Losing Sandeep Lamichhane is a blow for the Stars, but I believe they more than make up for it with their all-rounders. Sydney Thunder at the death have concerned for me, and I think the Stars will get home in a close match.

Thanks for reading!

Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder Preview + Dream11