AI Simulation, BBL | Stars hold their nerve to edge past Thunder in Canberra thriller
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As per ChatGPT's simulation, Melbourne Stars secured a narrow 14-run win over Sydney Thunder at Manuka Oval in Canberra on 28 December 2025. Key innings from Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis helped the Stars post 168/5 before a disciplined bowling performance restricted the Thunder to 154/7.
Manuka Oval offered a flat batting track with even bounce, ideal for teams that start the innings strongly. The evening was clear, with temperatures around 20 °C and a light breeze. Dew was expected later in the match, which influenced the Stars’ decision to bat first.
Melbourne Stars won the toss and chose to bat first, aiming to set a challenging total while avoiding the impact of dew in the second innings.
Melbourne Stars: Thomas Rogers, Sam Harper (WK), Joe Clarke, Campbell Kellaway, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis (C), Hilton Cartwright, Tom Curran, Peter Siddle, Haris Rauf, Mitchell Swepson
Sydney Thunder: Sam Konstas, David Warner (C), Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings (WK), Oliver Davies, Shadab Khan, Daniel Sams, Chris Green, Nathan McAndrew, Tanveer Sangha, Reece Topley
Opting to bat first, Melbourne Stars started cautiously. Harper and Clarke rotated strike efficiently, avoiding early risks. Kellaway accelerated in the powerplay, adding quick runs before Maxwell took charge in the middle overs, striking 45 off 28 balls with three sixes. Stoinis contributed 30 runs, steadying the innings after the Stars lost two wickets in the 15th over. Extras added 10 runs, taking the total to 168/5 after 20 overs. Thunder’s bowlers Topley and Sams kept things tight but failed to break the key middle-order partnership.
Chasing 169, Sydney Thunder began aggressively. Warner scored 50, supported by Billings’ 28, while Bancroft contributed 25 in the early overs to keep the chase alive. However, early breakthroughs from Rauf and Siddle slowed Thunder’s momentum. Maxwell’s fielding and Curran’s controlled death-over bowling made run-scoring difficult. Oliver Davies and Shadab Khan offered brief resistance, scoring 12 and 15 respectively, but Thunder struggled to maintain the required rate. Extras added 36 runs, but the disciplined Stars bowling prevented them from crossing the line, finishing at 154/7.
The turning point came in overs 15-18, when Rauf and Siddle removed three key Thunder batsmen, halting any late surge. The Stars maintained composure in the final overs to secure a 14-run victory.
Glenn Maxwell – his 45-run middle-over innings set up a defendable total and proved decisive in a close game.
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