THE FACTS
When is Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder taking place? Thursday 6th February, 2020 – 08:40 (UK)
Where is Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder taking place? Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
What is the expected weather for Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder? 18c in clear and sunny skies
What television channel is Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder on in the UK? BT Sport have the rights to BBL09 matches so it is worth checking their schedule
Where can I stream Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder in the UK? If televised, BT Sport subscribers will be able to stream the match live via the BT Sport website & app
Where can I get tickets for Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder? Visit the official BBL website for ticket information
What was the outcome in the last meeting? Melbourne Stars beat Sydney Thunder by 6 wickets
THE TEAM NEWS
MELBOURNE STARS
- Melbourne Stars could not make home advantage count in their battle to make the BBL|09 final as they fell to a big loss against Sydney Sixers but having topped the ladder during the round robin, they get a second bite of the cherry.
- The Stars will have been content having restricted the Sixers to 142/7 thanks to some fine bowling from Adam Zampa but the response got off to a poor start and a constant loss of wickets saw Melbourne collapse to 99 all out.
- That batting effort will need to improve in this game with plenty of pressure resting on the shoulders of Marcus Stoinis who has been voted as the Player of the Tournament whilst Glenn Maxwell and Haris Rauf were also selected in the Team of the Tournament with those three set to play key roles in what is likely to be an unchanged team.
SYDNEY THUNDER
- Sydney Thunder continued their brilliant run of form as they made it three wins in a row with their last two wins coming under extreme pressure as they maintained their hopes of making the final after another impressive win.
- The Thunder looked well set for a big score against Adelaide Strikers after Alex Hales’ superb form continued with 59 from 35 balls but when he was run out, his side failed to kick on and only ended on 151/7.
- Some solid bowling from Daniel Sams, Jonathan Cook and Chris Morris saw the Thunder defend that total to move one game from the final and they are unlikely to make any changes to their side after that victory although Jay Lenton could drop out with his first child expected shortly so Matthew Gilkes has been called into the 13-man squad to cover Lenton's potential absence.
THE PREDICTION
Sydney Thunder are just one win away from making the final of BBL|09 despite having to do it from a fifth placed finish on the ladder. They have won their first two matches on the road in the finals and now face Melbourne Stars, the team that ended the round robin at the top of the ladder. The Stars have lost their last four matches after failing to beat Sydney Sixers in their qualifying game for the final and although they have the quality to turn it around, all of the momentum is with the Thunder who can pull off another upset.