BBL T20: Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars - Preview and prediction
The 2022 Big Bash League kicks off with the match between Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars at Manuka Oval in Canberra.
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The eagerly awaited new Big Bash League season begins on Tuesday.In the 2021 season, Sydney Thunder placed third in their group and fourth overall. The Melbourne Stars finished the season in sixth place and were just one point away from the playoffs.
Sydney Thunder have assembled a fantastic squad of players that could build on last year's performances. With Rilee Rossouw's and Alex Hales's experience, scoring runs should be fine.
Glenn Maxwell, the Melbourne Stars' great all-arounder and captain won't be playing, but that should give other players a chance to shine. The Stars are predicted to be one of the competition's most entertaining teams.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Can Alex Hales bring the title back to Sydney? 👀<br><br>In their first five games of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BBL12?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BBL12</a>, the Thunder face the Strikers twice, the Heat, a depleted Stars, and an improved-looking Renegades.<br><br>Alex Hales will be key for a strong Thunder start - and perhaps more.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThunderNation?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ThunderNation</a> <a href="https://t.co/IG662DUf56">pic.twitter.com/IG662DUf56</a></p>— Wicky (@wickyai) <a href="https://twitter.com/wickyai/status/1600754428717322240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Sydney Thunder's players to watch
1. Alex Hales- After being left out of England's white-ball team in 2019, Hales made a comeback and is currently a T20 World Cup champion. He has a stellar BBL track record.
2. Tanveer Sangha- A 21-year-old leg-spinner who had a 15.1 strike rate for his 16 wickets during the 2021 BBL, had a successful season.
Melbourne Stars' players to watch
1. Marcus Stoinis- the batting all-rounder, will bat in this tournament. He loves to bat in home conditions and has been in excellent T20 form over the last 12 months.
2. Trent Boult- The left-arm pace bowler, will always pose a threat to Sydney Thunder batters. Watch out for his yorkers at the start and end of the innings.
Match Prediction
Sydney Thunder are predicted to win today's match as the Thunders have a strong batting lineup.
Top Picks
Alex Hales
Tanveer Sangha
Marcus Stoinis
Trent Boult
Pitch Report
Although Canberra is not the highest-scoring ground in the tournament, Canberra's pitch allows the ball to come onto the bat. Expect some pace at the wicket and a par score of around 180
Team Squad
Sydney Thunder: Alex Hales, Rilee Rossouw, Jason Sangha (c), Matthew Gilkes (wk), Chris Green, Toby Gray, Daniel Sams, Ben Cutting, Tanveer Sangha, Usman Qadir, and Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Melbourne Stars: Marcus Stonis, Hilton Cartwright, Joe Clarke (wk), Thomas Rogers, Josh Burns, Nick Larkin, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa (c), Trent Boult, Luke Wood, and Brody Couch.