Sydney Thunder will face off against Melbourne Stars in the Knockout of the Big Bash League 2024/25 on Wednesday. Sydney Thunder booked their Playoff spot after finishing 3rd in the standings. On the other hand, Melbourne Stars put up a remarkable show in the latter half to end up in the 4th position. Sydney Thunder holds the upper hand against Melbourne Stars, having registered an 18-run win earlier in the tournament.
We know you’re with us 💚 pic.twitter.com/xrHq9TLxyf
— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) January 21, 2025
Match Details:
Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars, Knockout
Venue: Sydney Showground Stadium, Sydney
Date & Time: January 22nd at 2:00 PM IST and 7:30 PM Local Time
Live Telecast & Streaming: Star Sports Network & Disney+hotstar
What is the Pitch Report for THU vs STA, Big Bash League 2024/25, Knockout?
The track here at the Sydney Showground Stadium is known for producing middling scores. Seamers will carry the best average as compared to the spinners at this venue. Considering the nature of the wicket, looks like anything in the range of 155-165 is highly competitive.
Recent form:
Sydney Thunder: NR, Won, Lost, NR, Lost
Melbourne Stars: Won, Won, Won, Won, Won
THU vs STA, Big Bash League 2024/25, Knockout Probable Winners:
Melbourne Stars are expected to win this match.
What is the Expected, Probable Playing XIs for THU vs STA, Big Bash League 2024/25, Knockout?
Sydney Thunder
David Warner (c), Hugh Weibgen, Matthew Gilkes, Oliver Davies, Sam Billings (wk), Chris Green, Toby Gray, George Garton, Tom Andrews, Tanveer Sangha, Mohammad Hasnain.
Melbourne Stars
Sam Harper (wk), Thomas Fraser Rogers, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis (c), Glenn Maxwell, Hilton Cartwright, Tom Curran, Joel Paris, Usama Mir, Mark Steketee, Peter Siddle.
📍 On deck in Sydney and tuning up for the Knockout!#BBL14 pic.twitter.com/trGKiSmz9U
— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) January 21, 2025
Injury Updates:
Currently, the players from both squads are doing well and fit. It will be added when there is an update.
What are the Fantasy Cricket Top Picks, Players for THU vs STA, Big Bash League 2024/25, Knockout?
Top Pick – Batter
David Warner requires another 6 runs to become the leading run-scorer in the BBL 2024/25. In 9 matches overall, he made 346 runs at an average of 57.66 with the best score of 88*.
Top Pick – All-Rounder
Marcus Stoinis has made 296 runs in 10 matches in the BBL 2024/25 at an average of 29.6 and managed to pick up 4 wickets.
Top Pick – Bowler
Thank you, Sammy, for an unforgettable season in lime green ⚡️
All the best in Sri Lanka 💚#ThunderNation pic.twitter.com/oE2Q0d9v6r
— Sydney Thunder (@ThunderBBL) January 20, 2025
Top Pick – Wicketkeeper
Sam Billings is the second leading run-scorer in the tournament for Sydney Thunder with 185 runs in 8 innings at a strike rate of 136.02.
X-Factor:
Glenn Maxwell showcased his big-game stature with scores of 76*, 90, and 58* in the last 3 innings. Overall in 8 matches in the BBL 2024/25, he made 297 runs at an average of 59.4 with a strike rate of 194.11.
What are the Fantasy Suggested Teams for THU vs STA, Big Bash League 2024/25, Knockout?
1. Sam Billings, Matthew Gilkes, David Warner, Hilton Cartwright, Glenn Maxwell (vc), Marcus Stoinis, Tom Curran, Chris Green, Mark Steketee (c), Tom Andrews, Usama Mir.
2. Sam Harper, Matthew Gilkes, David Warner, Oliver Davies, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis (c), Tom Curran, Chris Green (vc), George Garton, Peter Siddle, Mark Steketee.
Homegrown star secured ✍️
Tanveer Sangha has re-signed with the club, extending his commitment until the end of BBL|17.
Full release 👉 https://t.co/GBlW67TFOj pic.twitter.com/9pVOWgQ9vh
— Sydney Thunder (@ThunderBBL) January 20, 2025
Pre-Match Analysis:
A no result against city-rivals Sydney Sixers on Friday didn’t matter for Sydney Thunder, who already locked their Playoff spot well in advance. However, they missed out on finishing in the top two with a two-point difference with the 2nd placed Sydney Sixers. Veteran David Warner, who is playing his full-fledge BBL for the first time in his career, led by an example, scoring 346 runs in 9 matches. Overseas wicket-keeper batter, Sam Billings is the 2nd best performer after Warner with 185 runs in 8 innings. With the ball, Chris Green tops the chart for the club with 11 wickets.
They make two changes for their squad with Toby Gray and Blake Nikitaras replacing Dan Christian and outgoing Sam Konstas.
Melbourne Stars’ journey to the Playoffs this season will go down as one of the remarkable comeback stories. Stars under the leadership of all-rounder, Marcus Stoinis got bamboozled completely in the first half with zero wins in the first 5 matches, however, they showed their resilience in the latter half, winning 5 matches on the trot to secure a well-deserved place in the Playoffs. Glenn Maxwell’s rise to the occasion at the crucial junctures did the trick as the talisman strokemaker, smashed 3 half-centuries in the last 3 innings to put the team on top. Not to forget the contributions from Mark Steketee, who was too good with the ball, claiming 15 wickets, where all of those have come in the winning causes.
They make two changes for the must-win clash against Sydney Thunder, with Peter Handscomb coming in place of Beau Webster, who headed to the national duties. Campbell Kellaway returns to the squad at the cost of Blake Macdonald.
