Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder Prediction & Match Preview – BBL 14th Match

Melbourne Stars take on Sydney Thunder in the 14th match of the 2025-26 Big Bash League at Manuka Oval, Canberra, on Sunday, 28 December.

The Stars have won their first three games and lead the table. Joe Clarke and Campbell Kellaway have regularly made 30-plus scores at strike rates around 130, and the middle order has Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Sam Harper, with Tom Curran and Hilton Cartwright adding depth. Harper has scored 165 runs in three games at a strike rate of 172. Haris Rauf and Peter Siddle have shared 13 wickets, Mitch Swepson provides spin control, and Curran and Stoinis have combined for 12.

The Thunder are fifth after one win and two heavy defeats. Matthew Gilkes has made 108 runs in three games at a strike rate of 183, and Sam Billings and Cameron Bancroft have also contributed, while David Warner and Sam Konstas add attacking options. Shadab Khan has 75 runs from two innings at 137 and leads the bowlers with six wickets. Reece Topley has three wickets but is going at 12 an over, and Nathan McAndrew has three at 9.70.

Our preview expects timely breakthroughs and middle-overs pressure to decide the match, with a first-innings score of 160 to 175 likely.

Probable playing XI

Pitch report

Manuka Oval is generally batter-friendly, with good pace and true bounce that lets stroke-makers play through the line. Fast bowlers can find some carry and seam under lights, but the help fades quickly and run-scoring gets easier on the even surface with a quick outfield. Spinners can grip in the middle overs if they vary their pace. Totals of 160–170 are typically sought.

Weather

A calm, dry evening is expected at 7:15 pm local time, with temperatures around 18–20 °C, mostly clear skies, no significant chance of rain and a light to moderate breeze.

Expected scores

• 1st innings: 160–175
• 2nd innings: 155–170

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