Last Updated on 2 years by Charbel Coorey

THU vs STA Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report: BBL 2022/23 Match 1 | THU vs STA Dream11 Prediction Today | Canberra Pitch Report

It’s that time of year again. The Big Bash League (BBL) is set to begin for another season, with Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars keen to start their respective campaigns on a positive note.

Thunder have been thereabouts in recent seasons, and will be looking to go a step further in BBL 12. They finished third in each of the last two seasons, and Jason Sangha will lead an exciting squad on paper in the quest for a first title since BBL 05. Alex Hales will be looking to produce fireworks right away, while the likes of Ben Cutting and Rilee Rossouw add plenty of additional power.

For the Stars, their quest for a first title got off to a rocky start even before the start of the season. Glenn Maxwell is unavailable, which puts the spotlight on how the Stars perform as a team. Adam Zampa will lead what looks to be a solid bowling lineup on paper with Trent Boult at the helm. Indeed, that is one of the keys in limiting the Thunder lineup.

BBL 2022/23 Match 1: THU vs STA Possible Playing XIs

One of the questions around the playing XI for the Thunder will be whether they can find room for at least two spinners. Tanveer Sangha is out with a stress fracture injury.

Also, they may look to open with Ben Cutting, who has smashed 214 runs at an average of 35.67 and strike rate of 159.70 when opening in T20s.

Sydney Thunder: 1. Alex Hales, 2. Ben Cutting, 3. Rilee Rossouw, 4. Jason Sangha (c), 5. Alex Ross, 6. Daniel Sams, 7. Matthew Gilkes (wk), 8. Nathan McAndrew, 9. Chris Green, 10. Gurinder Sandhu, 11. Fazalhaq Farooqi/Usman Qadir

Glenn Maxwell may miss the entire BBL due to a broken leg.

Melbourne Stars: 1. Marcus Stoinis, 2. Joe Clarke (wk), 3. Joe Burns, 4. Nick Larkin, 5. Hilton Cartwright, 6. Beau Webster, 7. Nathan Coulter-Nile, 8. Luke Wood, 9. Trent Boult, 10. Adam Zampa (c), 11. Clint Hinchliffe

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Sydney Thunder:

• Alex Hales has scored the seventh-most runs in T20s at Manuka Oval, Canberra (302) at an average of 23.23 and strike rate of 140.47. Against the Stars, the dynamic opener has 189 runs in seven innings at an average of 27.00 and strike rate of 135.00.
• Rilee Rossouw has had a brilliant 2022, with 1,340 runs at an average of 39.41 and strike rate of 176.08. But, he has fared much better batting first (754 runs, avg. 58,00, SR 188.97) compared to batting second (586 runs, avg. 27.90, SR 161.82).
• Alex Ross vs Melbourne Stars since the start of 2020: 6 inns, 210 runs, avg. 70.00, SR 142.86. Ross also has decent numbers at Manuka Oval: 7 inns, 182 runs, avg. 30.33, SR 135.82.
• Daniel Sams has taken the most wickets of any men’s T20 bowler at Manuka Oval (19) at an average of 19.21 and strike rate of 15.43. He has also belted 218 runs at a strike rate of 171.65.
• Against Stars, Sams has taken 11 wickets in nine matches at an average of 24.73 and economy of 8.68. He averages just 13.78 with the bat.
• Chris Green has good numbers against Stars: 10 inns, 13 inns, avg. 18.23, econ. 8.17.

Melbourne Stars:

• Marcus Stoinis will be vital in the absence of Glenn Maxwell. He has a good record against Thunder, with 403 runs in 12 innings at an average of 36.64 and strike rate of 130.84.
• Stoinis strikes at 160.98 in seven T20s at Canberra. He has scored 132 runs at an average of 26.40.
• Nick Larkin enjoys playing the Thunder. The right-hander has scored 296 runs in eight innings at an average of 74.00 and strike rate of 134.55.
• Joe Clarke struck 419 runs in 13 innings at an average of 32.23 and strike rate of 151.26 in last season’s BBL.
• Trent Boult will be key upfront against Hales. The opening batsman has had some issues at times against left-arm seam, including being dismissed by Shaheen Shah Afridi in the T20 World Cup Final.
• Nathan Coulter-Nile has taken ten career wickets in nine matches vs Thunder at an economy of 6.62.
• Adam Zampa has the most wickets in THU-STA matches (17) at an average of 20.00 and economy of 7.56. At Canberra, the legspinner has taken ten wickets in eight matches at the same average of 20.00 and economy of 6.90.

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Other Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 17, Stars 10, Thunder 7.
• Stars have won seven of the past eight matches vs Thunder.
• Alex Hales vs left-arm seam in all T20s this year: 166 balls, 272 runs, nine dismissals, avg. 30.22, SR 163.86.
• Ben Cutting vs Melbourne Stars: 12 inns, 246 runs, avg. 30.75, SR 158.71.
• Jason Sangha enjoys batting at Mauka Oval. He has struck two unbeaten half-centuries (63* and 56*) in as many matches.
• Nathan McAndrew dismissed Joe Clarke in both meetings last season.

Manuka Oval Canberra Pitch Report and Weather

After rain on Sunday and Monday, conditions are expected to be clear for this clash. But, it will be a chilly evening, with temperatures to drop to around ten degrees by night.

The Manuka Oval track is typically a good one for batting. In 15 BBL matches since the start of December 2020, the average first innings score is 170.73. The chasing team won 11 of them.

BBL 2022/23 Match 1: STA vs THU Dream11 Prediction December 13 2022

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:

Fan2Play Prediction

If you’re looking for an alternative to Dream11, Fan2Play offers different contests such as 2, 3 and 4 player fantasy teams. Check out and download the app here.

Base Team:

• Wicket-Keepers: Joe Clarke
• Batsmen: Alex Hales
• All-Rounders: Daniel Sams, Marcus Stoinis
• Bowlers: Trent Boult , Adam Zampa

BBL 2022/23 Match 1: THU vs STA Match Prediction – Who will win?

Melbourne Stars have a great recent record vs Sydney Thunder. However, Thunder look strong on paper and the Stars are dealt the Maxwell blow. Thunder to win.

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