BBL 12: Thunder vs Stars, Who will take the opener? 

Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars (Source: OneCricket)

Australia's biggest T20 carnival, the Big Bash League is back with its 12th season. The upcoming edition will begin with the match between Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars. 

The venue of this match will be the Manuka Oval in Canberra. Before the match, let us take a look at the key numbers that will give us an idea about what to expect from the match. We will also try and pick the important players and face-offs that could decide the fate of the match. 

Head to Head: 

The two teams have faced each other 17 times before and the balance is slightly in favour of the Melbourne Stars. 

But if we talk about the two teams playing at Manuka Oval, then it is the Thunder who have the odds slightly in their favour.

Here is a look at the stats-

Overall

Total Matches: 17

Melbourne Stars Won: 10

Sydney Thunder Won: 7

At Manuka Oval, Canberra

Matches: 3

Melbourne Stars Won: 1

Sydney Thunder Won: 2

Players to Watch Out

In this section we will take a look at the players who could be the decisive factors in the contest. 

Sydney Thunder

Batter

Alex Hales: Alex Hales has been in a great form during England's campaign of the T20 World Cup 2022. While that will make the Thunder team management depend on Hales for a good performance in the match, his record against the particular opponents will make the team management even more hopeful of him for a big performance in the match. 

Alex Hales vs Melbourne Stars

Innings: 7 Runs: 189 Average: 27.00 SR: 135.00

Hales vs Zampa will be an important face off (Source: OneCricket)

How will Stars prevent a Hales Storm?

Adam Zampa could be a good counter against Alex Hales. Hales has not been too aggressive against the Australian leg-spinner and Zampa has also picked up his wicket twice in T20 clashes. 

Alex Hales vs Adam Zampa

Runs: 30 Balls: 32 Wickets: 2 Dot%: 56.25 Balls Per Boundary: 8

Bowler

Daniel Sams: Daniel Sams with his multidimensional skills will surely be a very important part of the Thunder team. But it is his bowling skills on which the Thunder will be depending more, because of his previous performance against the Stars. 

Daniel Sams vs Melbourne Stars

Matches: 9 Wickets: 11 Economy: 8.68 Average: 24.73

Can Larkin dominate Daniel Sams (Source: OneCricket)

Stars' answer to Sams

Nick Larkin has taken the toll on Sams and hence could be the biggest answer for Stars against Daniel Sams. Larkin can upset the rhythm of Sams and can put him off from using his variations with which he is a very lethal bowler in the T20 format. 

Daniel Sams vs Nick Larkin

Runs: 66 Balls: 38 Wickets: 1 Dot%: 18.42 Balls Per Boundary: 4