In a rain-affected knockout clash, the Thunder defeated the Melbourne Stars by 21 runs via the DLS method, sealing their spot in the Challenger match. The game at Sydney Showground Stadium was reduced to 19 overs per side, but the drama was as intense as ever.
A Shaky Start for Sydney Thunder
The Thunder, sent in to bat after losing the toss, had a rocky beginning. Captain David Warner? Gone for a duck in just two balls. Ouch.
Opener Hugh Webzen tried to steady things but managed only 11 runs off 11 balls. Then came Matthew Gilkes. The left-hander added a spark with 28 runs, smashing 3 fours and a six off 18 deliveries.
The middle order held the innings together:
- Sam Billings: 24 runs off 25 balls.
- Oliver Davies: A steady 36 off 35 balls.
The lower order chipped in too:
- Tom Andrews: 13 runs off 8 balls.
- Nathan McAndrew: A quick 9 runs off 7 balls.
By the end, Sydney Thunder had posted 135/7 in 19 overs. Not a huge total, but enough to make things interesting.
Melbourne Stars’ Bowlers Deliver
The Stars’ bowlers brought their A-game:
- Tom Curran: 4 overs, 2/26.
- Osama Mir: 4 overs, 2/26.
- Peter Siddle, Doug Warren, Marcus Stoinis: A wicket each.
They even kept the extras low—just six runs. Pretty disciplined effort.
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A Tough Chase for Melbourne Stars
Chasing 138 on a tricky pitch, the Stars stumbled early. Thunder’s bowlers had a plan—and it worked. Wickets kept falling. The pressure kept building.
Top scorers for the Stars:
- Glenn Maxwell: A valiant 28 off 21 balls, with 3 fours and a six.
- Mark Steketee: A quick 18 off 13 balls.
But it wasn’t enough. The Stars were bowled out for just 114 in 18 overs. A 21-run loss. Heartbreak for their fans.
Nathan McAndrew’s Magic
The hero of the night is Nathan McAndrew.
The 31-year-old pacer was unstoppable:
- 5 wickets for 16 runs in 4 overs.
- Key dismissals? Sam Harper, Tom Rogers, Hilton Cartwright, Mark Steketee, and Doug Warren.
His stellar performance earned him the Player of the Match award. And deservedly so.
Other standout bowlers:
- Tom Andrews: 2/20 in 3 overs.
- Tanveer Sangha: 2/31 in 4 overs.
- Chris Green: 1/16 in 3 overs.
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