Stars veteran Peter Siddle says Sydney Thunder should be nervous ahead of finals showdown

Glenn Maxwell has been unstoppable in the BBL and a veteran teammate says that spells trouble for their finals opponents.

Evergreen seamer Peter Siddle has put the pressure squarely on David Warner and the Sydney Thunder after the Melbourne Stars remarkable rise to the finals, declaring “we won’t be as nervous as they are” in Wednesday’s knockout final.

Siddle, who will be 41 next summer, re-signed with the Melbourne Stars ahead of their finals-cementing win on Sunday night having come from the clouds and an 0-5 start to the season.

The Stars have been propelled to the final four by the blistering form of superstar Glenn Maxwell, who made an unbeaten 76 from 32 balls at the MCG in the 40-run win over the Hobart Hurricanes which sealed their first sport in the playoffs since the 2019/20 season.

It came after scores of 58 not out and 90, all since he was overlooked for the Test tour of Sri Lanka, giving him an average across those matches of 224. Maxwell has blasted 297 runs this BBL season, the fourth-most in the competition, with 244 of them coming in the last four games, all Stars wins.

“I guess it’s been on the back of some remarkable batting from ‘Maxi’. That’s helped,” Siddle said.

Maxi Madness 🤯

Not one, not two, but THREE sixes in a row from Glenn Maxwell at the MCG! #BBL14pic.twitter.com/YCgWNp8du0

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 19, 2025

“The all-round efforts, we’ve had contributions from everyone with bat and ball, been buzzing around in the field, taking catches.

“I’m just loving this environment, the crowd here right now are buzzing, it’s loud, it’s fun, we’re flying.”

The last loss the Stars suffered was against the resurgent Thunder, being captain by Warner this season, but having come from nowhere, and with momentum behind them, Siddle said his team was playing with freedom and would be unmoved by any finals pressure or expectation.

“I don’t think we’re going to be as nervous as they will be,” he said.

“That’s been the norm for us, so we’re used to it.

“It will just be nice to get up there to Sydney, have a crack and see how we go.”

Siddle said he couldn’t be enticed into another year of first-class cricket despite extending his BBL career.

He had a forgettable night against the Hobart Hurricanes (0-44 off three) but has been one of the Stars’ best bowlers this campaign.

Siddle is excited to be back at the Stars for BBL15 but said his “time is up” with the red ball.

“That’s done, I’ve had enough,” he said.

“I’ve had my time in first-class cricket and all that, I still love it, I love bowling, but my time is up.

Peter Siddle is back for more BBL next season. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

“There’s plenty of opportunities for the younger guys at Victoria, we’ve got a great group there, so I’ll let them do their thing.”

Siddle said the Stars’ miraculous turnaround from their disastrous 0-5 start to the season was encouraging him to play for as long as he could.

“I hadn’t even thought about it until probably at the turn (of the season),” he said.

“I was bowling all right, we got on a bit of a roll and I was feeling good, I guess I probably surprised myself with the performances I put in.

“I have always wanted to help the team try and win games, play a role. I have been able to do that so I am excited to have another crack again.”

BBL FINALS

Qualifier - Hobart Hurricanes v Sydney Sixers, Ninja Stadium, January 21

Knockout - Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Stars, ENGIE Stadium, January 22

Challenger - Loser of qualifier v winner of knockout, TBC, January 24

Final - Winner of qualifier v winner of challenger, TBC, January 27

Originally published as Stars veteran Peter Siddle says Sydney Thunder should be nervous ahead of finals showdown