BBL 7, Match 33, Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder – Match Predictions

The Melbourne Stars will face the Sydney Thunder tomorrow in the Big Bash League (BBL) and it will be a mighty important game for both the teams as they are occupying the bottom two positions in the table at the moment. The tournament has reached its second half now and every result has a great significance here on. Mathematically neither the Stars nor the Thunder are out of the contention yet, but they now stand at a stage where they can’t afford any more defeats at all.

While it’s a home game for the Stars, what is worth noting is that they are winless at home so far in the tournament. They will be keen to change that tomorrow and give their fans something to cheer about as they have been turning up in big numbers to support their players every game.

Here’s what we, at CricTracker predict will be the final result:

Scenario 1: Melbourne Stars win the toss

Toss Prediction: Stars decide to bat first

First Innings Prediction: 165-175

Result Prediction: Melbourne Stars win by 15 runs

Scenario 2: Sydney Thunder win the toss

Toss Prediction: Thunder opt to bat first

First Innings Prediction: 150-160

Result Prediction: Melbourne Stars win by 4 wickets

Head to Head Record

Total Matches Played – 7, Melbourne Stars won – 3, Sydney Thunder won – 4, Tie- 0 (Stars won in Super Over)

Playing Combination

Melbourne Stars

The Stars are heavily reliant on their batting. They have some game changers in the batting department, unlike bowling where there isn’t too much to talk about. The XI is likely to be the same as the previous game despite the fact that they suffered a huge defeat.

They may shuffle the batting order a bit and the wicketkeeper-batsman Peter Handscomb might be sent to open the innings in place of Ben Dunk as he had a good time opening against the Renegades and his game is ideally suited for the top order as well.

Predicted XI: Luke Wright, Ben Dunk, Kevin Pietersen, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Handscomb (WK), James Faulkner, Evan Gulbis, John Hastings (C), Jackson Coleman, Daniel Worrall, Daniel Fallins

Sydney Thunder

There is not much possibility of a change in the Thunder XI either. They like Stars had also played their last game against the Sydney Sixers and had lost, but they don’t have too many quality replacements available on the bench at the moment whom they can slot in.

The XI that featured in the Sydney Derby was their best XI and they will continue with that. However, they will want better displays from their two overseas players James Vince and Mitchell McClenaghan. While Vince hasn’t played much in the tournament, McLenaghan has been struggling with his form right through.

Predicted XI: Usman Khawaja, James Vince, Shane Watson (C), Callum Ferguson, Chris Green, Arjun Nair, Ben Rohrer, Jay Lenton (WK), Mitchell McClenaghan, Fawad Ahmed, Gurinder Sandhu

Broadcast Details

TV- SonyESPN

Online- SonyLiv

The prediction is for Melbourne Stars to win the match.