The Melbourne Stars’ undefeated start to BBL|15 faces another challenge on Sunday evening, as they trek to Canberra for a duel with a David Warner-led Sydney Thunder outfit.

Both sides faced off in ‘The Knockout’ match of last summer’s finals campaign, with the Thunder coming up eventual winners in an (ironically) thunder-affected match at ENGIE Stadium.

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More recently, the Stars are coming off an emphatic win over the Sydney Sixers on Boxing Day, which saw wicketkeeper Sam Harper blitz his maiden Big Bash ton and give his side their third straight win to start their campaign.

After two losses to begin their season, the Thunder finally tasted victory against the Brisbane Heat pre-Christmas off the back of a stellar 127-run opening stand between Matthew Gilkes and Sam Konstas.

They take an unchanged squad to Manuka Oval for tonight’s fixture, while the Stars have brought in batter Tom Rogers at the expense of young quick Tom Whitney.

MATCH CENTRE: Stars vs Thunder live scores, stats and more

Despite the Thunder having previously played home games at the Canberra venue, it will be the Stars who will sit in the home dugout for their annual ‘home’ game away from the MCG.

The Stars won the toss and elected to bowl first.

‘GUTSY’ KONSTAS NEARLY CAUSES FIRST-BALL CARNAGE

Sam Konstas was front and centre of tonight’s Big Bash game from ball one — literally.

The 20-year-old tucked off-spinner Glenn Maxwell to the leg side with the opening ball, and ambitiously came back for a second run after a slight hesitation.

In real time as Sam Billings took the bails from the throw in the deep, it looked like Konstas had run himself out.

The third umpire had the final say though, with replays showing that the right-hander had made his ground in between frames.

“It was a gutsy, gutsy run … but I think he’s gotten away with it. He could’ve dived!” former Australian quick Brendan Julian said on Fox Cricket.

“I don’t think there was two (runs) there, but he was quick.”

Australian wicketkeeping great Brad Haddin added: “I like the intent. I know that was a close call there, but I like the intent to put pressure straight away on the fielders of the Stars, and make a statement early.”

The five-Test young gun was eventually bowled by Mitch Swepson for 11 off 15 balls.

‘ONE OF THE BEST’: 41-YEAR-OLD STAR STILL GOING STRONG

There are very few 41-year-olds still playing professional cricket, but of those who are, Peter Siddle is the one setting the standard.

The 67-Test stalwart has been in spectacular form so far this Big Bash campaign, and his performance Sunday night was no exception.

Siddle, who has retired from first-class cricket, finished with figures of 1/22 from his four overs and was arguably deserving of at least one more scalp.

“I’m feeling good. There’s obviously a lot of pressure not playing first-class cricket, and then having to be ready for this,” Siddle told Fox Cricket during the innings break.

“It’s a great bowling unit to bowl with, we’ve got plenty of fire-power in there.”

The right-arm seamer wasn’t just putting balls in the right spot, but was also bowling with genuine pace behind him — highlighted by a 142km/h bouncer to Shadab Khan during the Sydney Thunder’s Power Surge.

“It’s amazing that he still has his pace … he’s still very fit, he rides a lot,” Haddin said during the first innings.

“I’m not sure he (Shadab) thought Peter Siddle still had that in him!”

Julian added: “Because he has a very front-on action, it allows him to get through the crease and keep his momentum going.”

“He’s still one of the best bowlers in the competition Peter Siddle, pound-for-pound — he bowls the hard overs,” Australian great Mark Waugh said.

Melbourne Stars XI: Sam Harper (wk), Joe Clarke, Campbell Kellaway, Tom Rogers, Marcus Stoinis (c), Glenn Maxwell, Hilton Cartwright, Tom Curran, Mitch Swepson, Haris Rauf, Peter Siddle

Sydney Thunder XI: David Warner (c), Sam Konstas, Cameron Bancroft, Matthew Gilkes, Sam Billings (wk), Shadab Khan, Daniel Sams, Chris Green, Tanveer Sangha, Ryan Hadley, Reece Topley