Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars match prediction 1st match

ST vs MS 1st Match Predictions & Betting Tips

Sydney Thunder will take on Melbourne Stars in the 1st match of the Big Bash League 2022-23 at the Manuka Oval, Canberra on December 13, 2022 (Tuesday).

It is that time of the year again. The Australian summer is upon us and how! After the Australian Men’s team managed to sweep the Frank Worrell Trophy 2-0 against the Windies, now the focus moves to Big Bash League that is all set to kick start on December 13, 2022 at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. Both Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars had a decent campaign last year but this year, they would want to do better, and in the process, punters can be hugely successful if they follow our carefully crafted analysis.

ST vs MS Team Bets:

Let us have a look at our top two team betting tips from the ST vs MS head-to-head contest.

Sydney Thunder to score over 44.5 runs in the first six overs

Sydney Thunder’s batting has always been their biggest strength. Having secured the services of David Warner, Alex Hales and Rilee Rossouw, in the draft, Sydney Thunder have made themselves the most impeccable side of the tournament. And that further bolsters the hope why Sydney is one team that can do the maximum carnage in the tournament. Even if Warner is absent for the first match, they have Alex Hales, Matthew Gilkes, and Rilee Rossouw for the top three role - ensuring the side always have their tails up. If you’re wondering, the trio have an average combined strike rate of 155.56 in the powerplay and that brings the expected powerplay score to 54. We surely can earn a lot more from this. But for the sake of convincingness, let me spare some more numbers. Over the years in the Big Bash League, Sydney Thunder have a run-rate of 7.7 in the powerplay and an average runs per wicket being 33.6. They have a boundary percentage of 61.27%, which is the second-highest for any team in the competition. That should make you convinced. We have a proper market in our hands that would pay you enough sacrilege to be proud of. 1XBET provides odds of 1.8 for Sydney Thunder to score over 44.5 runs in the powerplay, and you can be a big beneficiary of the same from this ST vs MS encounter.

Melbourne Stars to score over 44.5 runs in the first six overs

With seven wins and seven losses in the 2021/22 season, Melbourne Stars had a decent season on the field but they would want to do better going forward. Things had been pretty dire at the beginning and even though they managed to somehow make it at the end of the season, a chance in the playoffs was gone. But as a matter of fact, things look promising this season even though they have lost their talismanic superstar Glenn Maxwell. Their philosophy also tells you a story. In 125 BBL matches, Melbourne Stars have had a run rate of 7.4 in the powerplay and average runs per wicket being a solid 27.7. Their balls per wicket of 22.5 further provides a clear vantage point to look at things the right way. Their top three - Hilton Cartwright, Marcus Stoinis, Joe Clarke - have an average strike rate of 145.56 and that too against Sydney Thunder, the team have scored 49 runs on an average in the powerplay. All these numbers justify that things are pretty similar if the Stars follow the established trend and go for the jugular. With 1XBET providing odds of 1.8 on Melbourne Stars to score over 44.5 runs in the first six overs, you know how to go about your things in the ST vs MS encounter.

ST vs MS Player Bet:

Mentioned below is our top player betting pick from the ST vs MS head-to-head contest. Take a look!

Alex Hales to score over 23.5 runs

Here is a pretty straightforward bet and anyone in their right mind would jump on it right away. I mean, imagine, what more could they give it away? With an average of 30.71 and a strike rate of 147.5 in his T20 career, Hales doesn’t need to justify anything to anyone. In 54 matches in 2022, Hales has averaged 33.35 at a strike rate of 157.2. To put things in perspective, he already has scored 1701 runs in 2022 alone - no one even comes close to him. With 14 fifties in 2022 already, Hales has ensured things are pretty smooth-sailing for him. He has been an impeccable performer in Australia where he has played as many as 74 matches, scoring 2226 runs at 32.26 with a strike rate hovering over 150. He has played 45 matches for Sydney Thunder already and in the process, managed to rack up 1502 runs - clearly he is the most important player in the side, irrespective of which side of the schism you stand on. His average of 37.03 in wins further validates that Hales is the best man to take us over the line as far as the market is concerned. With 1XBET offering odds of 1.832 for this ST vs MS encounter, you can be rest assured that there is a grand thing that awaits you.

My Picks:

Sydney Thunder to score over 44.5 runs in the first six overs @ 1.8 (1XBET)

Melbourne Stars to score over 44.5 runs in the first six overs @ 1.8 (1XBET)

Alex Hales to score over 23.5 runs @ 1.832 (1XBET)