Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder Prediction & Match Preview – BBL 14th Match
Match summary
Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder BBL 2025-26 preview: form, key players, likely XIs, Manuka Oval pitch and weather, expected scores and our pick.
Match details
| Match | Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder, 14th Match |
|---|---|
| Series | Big Bash League 2025-26 |
| Date | 28 Dec 2025 |
| Start time | 8:15 am GMT / 7:15 pm local |
| Venue | Manuka Oval, Canberra |
| Status | Played |
| Our pick | Melbourne Stars |
| Toss pick | Sydney Thunder |
Matches in this series
Match preview
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.
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.
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
| Innings | Predicted | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| First innings | 160–175 | – |
| Second innings | 155–170 | – |
Melbourne Stars
The Stars have won all three games and have a deep batting order, while the Thunder have one win and two heavy defeats.
Toss pick: Sydney Thunder
FAQ
Who is expected to win Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder?
Our preview picks Melbourne Stars, who have won their first three matches of the season.
Who has been the Stars’ top run-scorer?
Sam Harper, with 165 runs in three games at a strike rate of 172.
Where is the match played?
At Manuka Oval in Canberra on 28 December 2025, with a 7:15 pm local start.
Probable XIs
Expected line-ups from our preview. c = captain, wk = wicketkeeper.
Melbourne Stars
- Joe Clarke
- Sam Harperwk
- Campbell Kellaway
- Glenn Maxwell
- Marcus Stoinisc
- Hilton Cartwright
- Tom Curran
- Jonathan Merlo
- Mitchell Swepson
- Haris Rauf
- Peter Siddle
Sydney Thunder
- Sam Konstas
- Matthew Gilkes
- David Warnerc
- Cameron Bancroft
- Sam Billingswk
- Shadab Khan
- Daniel Sams
- Chris Green
- Nathan McAndrew
- Tanveer Sangha
- Reece Topley