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The BBL 2024-25 Knockout Final will witness the high-flying Melbourne Stars clash with the resilient Sydney Thunder at the Engie Stadium. The Stars, under Glenn Maxwell’s exceptional leadership, are on a stunning five-match winning streak after an initial 0-5 start to the season. On the other hand, the Thunder have been steady but inconsistent and are looking to overcome their hurdles to secure a spot in the Challenger match.
Match Details
| Match | Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars, Knockout Final |
|---|---|
| Date | Wednesday, January 17, 2025 |
| Time | 7:30 PM Local / 2:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Engie Stadium, Sydney |
Teams Preview
Sydney Thunder
The Thunder enter the knockout final on the back of a strong season where they consistently hovered near the top of the table. Injuries have disrupted their campaign, with as many as six players from their original squad missing games, yet they have managed to qualify.
Opener David Warner has been key to their batting success, scoring 346 runs at a strike rate of 140. Alongside Warner, Sam Billings has been in excellent touch, scoring 185 runs at 136 SR. Young talents like Oliver Davies and Hugh Weibgen have chipped in when required, adding depth to the batting order.
The bowling unit, led by Chris Green, has been Thunder’s strength. Green has picked up 11 wickets at an economy of 7.32 and enjoys bowling at the Engie Stadium, where he holds the record for most wickets (18). Wes Agar, Nathan McAndrew, and Tanveer Sangha bring variety and potency, ensuring Thunder remains a balanced unit.
Melbourne Stars
The Melbourne Stars are the team of the moment, surging into the finals after five consecutive wins. Their recent triumph against the Hobart Hurricanes, where they posted 219 runs, showcased their incredible turnaround.
Glenn Maxwell has been phenomenal, scoring 297 runs at a blistering strike rate of 194.11. He will once again be pivotal, alongside skipper Marcus Stoinis, who has 296 runs this season. The addition of Peter Handscomb, replacing Beau Webster, adds further experience to the batting lineup.
On the bowling front, the Stars have found their groove. Mark Steketee leads the charts with 15 wickets at an economy of 6.97. Veterans Peter Siddle and Tom Curran, along with spinners like Usama Mir, form a potent attack capable of defending any total.
Team Squads
Sydney Thunder Predicted XI
David Warner (c), Oliver Davies, Matthew Gilkes, Sam Billings (wk), George Garton, Hugh Weibgen, Chris Green, Tanveer Sangha/Wes Agar, Nathan McAndrew, Tom Andrews, Mohammad Hasnain
Melbourne Stars Predicted XI
Thomas Fraser Rogers, Sam Harper (wk), Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis (c), Hilton Cartwright, Tom Curran, Joel Paris, Usama Mir, Mark Steketee, Peter Siddle
Fantasy Team XI
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Glenn Maxwell (c) | All-rounder |
| Marcus Stoinis (vc) | Batter |
| David Warner | Batter |
| Sam Billings | Batter |
| Peter Handscomb | Batter |
| Chris Green | All-rounder |
| Tom Curran | All-rounder |
| Mark Steketee | Bowler |
| Nathan McAndrew | Bowler |
| Usama Mir | Bowler |
| Tanveer Sangha | Bowler |
Pitch and Weather Report
Pitch Report
The Engie Stadium offers a balanced wicket, with early assistance for pacers due to its green cover. As the game progresses, batting becomes easier, and spinners might play a role in the latter half. Teams would look to post a score of around 180 to feel secure in this high-pressure knockout match.
Weather Conditions
The weather in Sydney is expected to be hot and windy, with temperatures ranging between 20-31°C. While rain might play a minor role in the evening, the game should proceed without major interruptions.
Toss Prediction
Both teams are likely to prefer batting first, given the knockout pressure and the tendency of the pitch to become favorable for batters in the second innings.
Winning Prediction
Momentum is a crucial factor in knockout games, and the Melbourne Stars are riding high on their five-game winning streak. While the Sydney Thunder have shown resilience, their inconsistent performances and injuries could prove costly in this high-stakes encounter.
Prediction: Melbourne Stars to win.
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