Big Bash League 2019 Match 19, Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Big Bash League 2019 Match 19, Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Melbourne Stars BBL

Sydney Thunder will host Melbourne Stars for Match 19 of the 2019-20 BBL, at Sydney Showground Stadium. Having secured 7 points from 5 matches, the Thunder are currently at the top of pile, level with Adelaide Strikers on points but marginally ahead on net run rate (+0.460 to +0.449).

The Stars are a point behind these two, but they also have a match in hand. Their net run rate (+1.081) is the best in the league, and a win here will help them displace the Thunder at the top.

The Stars are coming off a win in a rain-affected match at Launceston, where Hobart Hurricanes put up 69/5 in 11 overs. After having an ordinary match, Dale Steyn (2-0-12-2) justified his selection over Haris Rauf, while Nathan Coulter-Nile’s (2-0-14-2) won him the Player of the Match award.

Marcus Stoinis (25 in 19 balls) and Peter Handscomb (22* in 21) then took the Stars got 55/3 in 7.3 overs, which turned out to be enough.

The Thunder, on the other hand, won a humdinger at Adelaide Oval. They first put up 168/5, thanks to Callum Ferguson (73 in 46), who regained the Golden Cap, and Usman Khawaja (63 in 50). Arjun Nair (3-0-19-2) and Daniel Sams (4-0-32-2) then helped restrict Adelaide Strikers to 165/9.

The sides are evenly matched, the home ground giving the Thunder a slight advantage.

Key players

Callum Ferguson (Sydney Thunder): The Thunder captain’s 229 runs – the most in the tournament so far – have come at a strike rate of 150. He will be his side’s main weapon in this battle for supremacy in the table.

Nathan Coulter-Nile (Melbourne Stars): After missing the first 2 matches, NCN arrived in BBL 2019-20 with a tight spell, an 8-ball 20 not out, and an award-winning show. The Stars will expect him to continue with the show.

Likely XIs

Sydney Thunder: Usman Khawaja, Alex Hales, Callum Ferguson (c), Alex Ross, Chris Green, Chris Morris, Matthew Gilkes (wk), Daniel Sams, Arjun Nair, Nathan McAndrew, Jonathan Cook.

Melbourne Stars: Marcus Stoinis, Nic Maddinson, Nick Larkin, Peter Handscomb (wk), Glenn Maxwell (c), Ben Dunk, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa, Daniel Worrall, Dale Steyn, Sandeep Lamichhane.

Prediction

The Thunder are favourites, but only just.