BBL 2024-25: Predicting Sydney Thunder’s playing XI for their clash against Melbourne Stars

Check out our prediction for Sydney Thunder’s playing XI as they face off vs Melbourne Stars. The knockout clash of the ongoing Big Bash League 2024-25 will feature Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars. The game will be played at the Sydney Showground Stadium in Sydney on January 22, at 2:00 PM (IST). Thunder finished their league stage campaign in the third spot on the tournament’s standings. 

David Warner-led side is coming off a ‘no-result’ game in the last fixture they took on the Sixers on January 17. They have lost two while winning only one, alongside a ‘no-result’ and an ‘abandoned’ fixture in their last five appearances. They will be eyeing winning this knockout clash against the Stars and securing a spot in the second qualifier of the tournament. 

With that said, here we’ll have a look at the predicted playing XI of Sydney Thunder in their next clash against Melbourne Stars. 

Openers:

Young batter Sam Konstas will open with the veteran batter and skipper, David Warner; the duo stitched a quick partnership of 36 runs for the first wicket in just 3.1 overs against the Scorchers in the 33rd game of the tournament. 

Konstas played a crucial half-century knock against Scorchers, scoring only 53 runs off 42 balls, with five fours and two sixes. David Warner will also be eyeing a strong comeback in the next game against the Stars. 

Middle Order: 

The middle-order of Sydney Thunder will start with the number three batter Matthew Gilkes followed by wicketkeeper-batter Sam Billings at number four. They will be there to convert the openers’ quick start to a big score. 

Following Gilkes and Billings, George Garton and Hugh Weibgen will come to bat at number five and number six. Both the batters can produce some crucial runs in the middle overs to help the Thunder post a big total on the board. 

All-Rounders:

Star all-rounder duo of Chris Green and Tom Andrews played a vital role in Thunder’s 61-run win against Scorchers. Chris Green scored 20 runs off 16 balls, with a four in the first innings. Later in the second innings, he also scalped 3 wickets at just 13 runs in four overs in the second innings. 

Green registered a sensational economy rate of just 3.25 in the game against Perth Scorchers, playing a vital role in bundling the Scorchers at the score of just 97 runs in 17.2 overs. Besides him, Tom Andrews played a blistering knock of 37 runs off just 13 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes, with an outstanding batting strike rate of 284.61. Andrews also scalped a wicket in the second innings and won the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his match-winning all-round performance. 

Bowlers:

The bowling trio of Sydney Thunder will include Nathan McAndrew, Tanveer Sangha, and Mohammad Hasnain in the primary attack. Hasnain scalped 1 wicket at 24 runs in his three-over stint during the game against Scorchers. Tanveer Sangha bowled one of the most economical spells for Thunder, conceding just 18 runs in 4 overs and scalping a wicket. 

Besides these two, Nathan McAndrew also bowled brilliantly and scalped 2 wickets at just 21 runs in his 3.2 overs. So, this trio will be making it to the playing XI of the Thunder for the next clash against the  Melbourne Stars.

Disclaimer: This latest news is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

For more exclusive updates Visit BJSports to access Exclusive News that is only for you, incisive analysis, and updates, and to keep up with all of the latest information on your remarkable cricket favorite players and teams. To ensure you never miss out, join in on the fun right away!

anne julliene

See Full Bio