By Zainab Shafiq 
On December 23rd, Saturday, the Melbourne Stars will clash with the Sydney Thunder in the 12th match at Lavington Sports Oval, Albury. The exciting cricket showdown kicks off at 04:30 AM GMT, providing fans with an early-morning spectacle or a perfect afternoon delight at 03:30 PM local time.
Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder Match Preview
As we approach Match 12 of the Big Bash League 2023-24, the Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars find themselves at the bottom of the points table, each searching for their first win in the tournament. Sydney Thunder, with an NRR of -0.700, faces the challenge of turning their fortune around, while the Melbourne Stars, at the tail end with an NRR of -4.040, are eager for a much-needed victory.
Both teams have faced setbacks in the early stages of the competition, struggling to secure a win. The Thunder will look to their key players to propel them forward, aiming to capitalize on any weaknesses in the Stars’ lineup. On the other hand, the Melbourne Stars, determined to climb the points ladder, will seek a comprehensive performance to rectify their NRR.
Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder Weather Report
During the match, expect a high of 29°C with a RealFeel® of 31°C and a comfortable RealFeel Shade™ of 27°C. The weather is anticipated to turn cloudy, with a passing shower likely in the afternoon, adding an element of unpredictability to the game.
Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder Pitch Report
Lavington Sports Oval, Albury presents a conducive pitch with a good balance between bat and ball, favoring both pacers and spinners, while the outfield promises quick runs.
Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder Predicted XI
Melbourne Stars: Tom Roger, Sam Harper (WK), Beau Webster, Marcus Stoinis (C), Hilton Cartwright, Liam Dawson, Nick Larkin, Jonathan Marlo, Usama Mir, Joel Paris, Haris Rauf
Sydney Thunder: Matthew Gikes (WK), Alex Hales, Oliver Davies, Cameron Bancroft, Alex Ross, Nathan McAndrew, Daniel Sams, Chris Green (C), Zaman Khan, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Hatcher
Dream11 Team for Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder
Sam Harper (WK), Alex Halses, Beau Webster, Marcus Stoinis (C), Liam Dawson, Alex Ross, Nick Larkin, Chris Green, Haris Rauf, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Hatcher
Where to Watch Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder?
| COUNTRY | TV CHANNELS | STREAMING PLATFORMS | RADIO COMMENTARY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Fox Sports, Foxtel, Kayo Sports | Kayo, Sports Entertainment Network (Radio) | Fox Sports, Seven Network (TV), BBC Radio 5 Live Extra, BBC Sounds (Radio) |
| India | Sony Six, Sony Ten, SonyLiv, Star Sports | Disney+Hotstar | Star Sports Network (TV), Sports Entertainment Network (Radio) |
| Pakistan | Geo Super, Ten Sports, Smartcric | – | – |
| New Zealand | Sky Sports NZ, Spark Sport | – | Sky Sport (TV) |
| United Kingdom | Sky Sports, Sky Go, Sky Now | – | Sky Sports (TV), BBC Radio 5 Live Extra, BBC Sounds (Radio) |
| United States | Willow TV, Willow Xtra | – | Sports Entertainment Network (Radio) |
| Bangladesh | Channel 9, Gazi TV (GTV), BTV | – | – |
| Sri Lanka | Channel Eye (SLRC), Dialog TV, Peco TV | – | – |
| Caribbean | Flow Sports, ESPN+ | – | – |
| MENA Countries | OSN Sports Cricket | – | – |