Last Updated on 4 years by Charbel Coorey

WBBL 06 Match 5: MS-W vs ST-W Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | MS-W vs ST-W Dream11 Prediction | Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder Key Players | North Sydney Oval Pitch Report

Cricketing action all over the globe resumed post the Covid-19 enforced lockdown, and so did the Women’s Big Bash League on Sunday but it had a lukewarm start on the opening day in Sydney. Defending champions, Brisbane Heat got off to a winning start defeating Perth Scorchers by 7 wickets and so did the Adelaide Strikers against the Hobart Hurricanes.

But the remaining two matches were washed out due to persistent rain in the city and hence the Melbourne Stars and the Sydney Thunder will both play their first game on Monday, after sharing points in the opening game.

There won’t be much change in the plans of both the teams as they will field the same XI which they planned to do in the first game of the tournament. Melbourne Stars had the opportunity to bat in their game against their city rivals Renegades and posted 127 on the board. However, their innings was abruptly interrupted after 17 overs by the rain. Meg Lanning scored a 50-ball 51, while Du Preez and Sutherland scored 30 odd runs each. On the other hand, the Thunder vs Sixers clash was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

The Stars have been winless against the Sydney Thunder in the last three edition of the WBBL.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Sydney Thunder:

• Sammy Jo-Johnson was traded to Thunder from Brisbane Heat. She picked 18 wickets in 16 matches and was a vital cog in the title win last season.
• Heather Knight: After four seasons with the Hurricanes, Heather Knight will now don the colours of Sydney Thunder. Rachel Haynes will have the company of someone who can be a leader figure on the field and Knight’s role as an opener will be the one to watch out for. Knight has had a superb 2020 in T20I cricket: 13 inns, 486 runs, avg. 40.50, SR 135.75.
• Rachel Haynes: Haynes has been one of the finest batters in the history of the league and it will be expected to be no different this season. With over 1500 runs for the Thunder, she is the 10th highest run getter in WBBL.
• Hannah Darlington was the Thunder’s leading wicket-taker in 2019 with 16 at 21.31.

Melbourne Stars:

• Meg Lanning has returned to the Stars from the Perth Scorchers. She has scored over 2000 runs in the history of this tournament and will be a key as they aim to reach their first semi-final.
• Natalie Sciver’s allround skills will enhance the chances of Stars in the league and has taken 30 wickets while also scoring 900 runs in the WBBL.
• Mignon Du Preez is the leading run scorer of Stars in the WBBL history and will be key to their fortunes against the Sydney Thunder side.

Stats and Facts

• Head to head: Thunder 7 wins, Stars 2 wins
• Sydney Thunder has never defeated the Melbourne Stars when batting first.
• Sydney Thunder have wom their last seven encounters against the Melbourne Stars. The Stars last won in 2016
• Rachel Haynes is the leading run scorer in the encounter between the two sides with 292 runs to her name.

North Sydney Oval Pitch and Weather Report

135-45 can be a par total on the track and pacers can play a key role in the encounter. Rain will be around in Sydney once again, and could interrupt this game.

Possible Playing 11

Melbourne Stars: 1. Meg Lanning (c & wk), 2. Elyse Villani, 3. Mignon du Preez, 4. Natalie Sciver, 5. Annabel Sutherland, 6. Erin Osborne, 7. Tess Flintoff, 8. Nicole Faltum, 9. Sophie Day, 10. Holly Ferling, 11. Rosemary Mair

Sydney Thunder: 1. Rachael Haynes (c), 2. Tammy Beaumont (wk), 3. Heather Knight, 4. Phoebe Litchfield, 5. Anika Learoyd, 6. Tahlia Wilson, 7. Hannah Darlington, 8. Sammy-Jo Johnson, 9. Lauren Smith, 10. Samantha Bates, 11. Shabnim Ismail

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1

Option 2:

Match Prediction

Melbourne Stars did get some batting time in the first game and that may prove to be an advantage against the Thunders who didnt get any game time. The Meg Lanning led side will fancy their chances going into this encounter.

Written by Sarthak Karkhanis. Follow Sarthak on Twitter today.