Last Updated on 4 months ago by Charbel Coorey

Is this the year of the Melbourne Stars? It’s still early days, but the Stars have looked fantastic so far in this edition of the BBL, winning their first three matches so far.

The form of Sam Harper has been a huge breath of fresh air. The keeper-batsman is producing the type of performances many believed he can produce. He comes into this match on the back of a dominant century at the SCG on Boxing Day, backing up another excellent bowling performance by his teammates, including 41-year-old Peter Siddle.

So, this shapes up as a tough test for the Sydney Thunder. David Warner’s team got off the mark in their last outing against the Brisbane Heat on this ground, but they’ll need a big performance here to knock off an in-form side. Sam Konstas and Matt Gilkes’ strong opening partnership set the platform, and the Thunder will be hoping for something similar today.

BBL 2025/26 14th Match: STA vs THU Possible Playing XIs

Melbourne Stars have added batsman Tom Rogers to their squad. However, they could stick with an unchanged XI from the victory over the Sixers on Boxing Day, unless they opt to drop Joe Clarke or Jonathan Merlo.

Melbourne Stars: 1. Joe Clarke (OS), 2. Sam Harper (wk), 3. Campbell Kellaway, 4. Marcus Stoinis (c), 5. Glenn Maxwell, 6. Tom Rogers/Jonathan Merlo, 7. Hilton Cartwright, 8. Tom Curran (OS), 9. Mitchell Swepson, 10. Haris Rauf (OS), 11. Peter Siddle

Sydney Thunder have named an unchanged squad. They could go with an unchanged XI as well.

Sydney Thunder: 1. Sam Konstas, 2. Matt Gilkes (wk), 3. David Warner (c), 4. Cameron Bancroft, 5. Sam Billings (OS, wk), 6. Shadab Khan (OS), 7. Daniel Sams, 8. Chris Green, 9. Nathan McAndrew, 10. Tanveer Sangha, 11. Reece Topley (OS)

Manuka Oval Canberra Pitch Report and Weather

Chasing teams have won four of the past six BBL matches at Manuka Oval. The average first innings score in these games is 165.

Sydney Thunder smashed 193/4 last week against the Brisbane Heat, but off-pace deliveries into the surface worked quite well. The likes of Marcus Stoinis usually employ these tactics.

Since the start of 2023, pace bowlers have taken 35 wickets in the BBL at an average of 30.94 and economy of 8.50. Spinners have fared better, taking 42 wickets at an average of 18.79 and economy of 7.54.

A clear and pleasant evening is forecast with a top of 24 degrees. There is a chance of dew in the second innings, so chasing may be preferred.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for STA vs THU 2025/26: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• Sam Harper is in the form of his life. The right-hander has smashed 165 runs so far this season at a strike rate of 171.87.
• Matt Gilkes showed promising signs in his first two matches this season, and he then followed it up with 76 (48) against the Brisbane Heat on this ground. Today will be a good test.

Key batter picks:

• Sam Konstas has two fifties in two BBL matches on this ground (56 and 63). Can he get through the powerplay against an in-form Stars attack?
• Campbell Kellaway bats in the top order. As a result, he is a safer pick than some of his Stars teammates. The left-hander is in decent form this season: 3 inns, 83 runs, avg. 41.50, SR 122.05.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Shadab Khan took 4/24 on this ground earlier this week. The legspinner has started well in this season’s BBL, taking six wickets and making scores of 34 and 41 so far.
• Marcus Stoinis has amassed 381 Dream11 points so far in BBL 2025/26. The Stars captain has scored 457 runs against the Thunder (28.56, SR 125.55) and has six wickets.
• Tom Curran has taken two three-wicket hauls in a row. This includes three wickets in the powerplay. Expect him to test the Thunder top order.

Key bowler picks:

• Peter Siddle has taken seven wickets at an average of 10.85 and economy of 6.33 so far this season. Overall in his career, Siddle has 22 wickets in 15 innings against the Thunder.
• Haris Rauf has picked up nine wickets in four matches against the Thunder at an average of 9.33 and economy of 5.60.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Sam Billings enjoys batting at Manuka Oval, with 365 runs at an average of 40.6 and strike rate of 149.6.
• Glenn Maxwell’s has had a limited batting role so far in this tournament. He’s a more assured fantasy pick if the Stars bat first, but he also offers value with the ball and in the field.
• Daniel Sams has 311 runs (avg. 28.3, SR 169.9) and 25 wickets (avg. 22.2, SR 16.5) in T20s at Manuka Oval. He also has 19 wickets in 13 innings against the Stars.
• David Warner is one of the experienced batters to watch out for, but his position in the Thunder lineup is quite fluid. Expect him to bat at three if an early wicket falls.
• Tanveer Sangha at Manuka Oval: 14 inns, 19 wickets, avg. 18.5, SR 15.6. He has a very good record against Glenn Maxwell (4/66 off 49 balls) and Marcus Stoinis (1/18 off 19 balls).

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head: Matches 22, Stars 10, Thunder 12.
• Thunder lead Stars 4-1 at Manuka Oval.
• Thunder have won the past five matches between the teams.
• Sam Billings career record vs Melbourne Stars: 6 inns, 172 runs, avg. 28.67, SR 131.30.
• Tanveer Sangha career record vs Melbourne Stars: 6 inns, 10 wickets, avg. 15.20, econ. 6.61.
• Nathan McAndrew vs Sam Harper: 11 balls, 13 runs, one wicket.
• Glenn Maxwell vs Matthew Gilkes: 11 balls, 23 runs, no wickets.
• Glenn Maxwell vs David Warner: 37 balls, 45 runs, one wicket.
• Daniel Sams vs Marcus Stoinis: 59 balls, 66 runs, one wicket.
• Daniel Sams vs Glenn Maxwell: 54 balls, 75 runs, two wickets.

BBL 2025/26 14th Match: STA vs THU Dream11 Prediction Today

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams. 

Option 1:

Option 2:

BBL 2025/26 14th Match: STA vs THU Match Prediction – Who will win?

Thunder have a strong recent record against the Stars, but the Melbourne-based team is playing magnificent cricket at the moment. Stars to win.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes for Dream11 free contests in line with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The stats and writer’s views are in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

All statistics and matchups in this article have been verified by ESPNcricinfo, Bigbashboard and Cricmetric.