Thunder cause upset to keep finals hopes alive
MACQUARIE’S SUMMER OF CRICKET LINE-UP TONIGHT: David Morrow, Mike Hussey and Julian King
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Gurinder Sandhu chatted to Julian King after the Thunder’s big win at Spotless Stadium.
Click PLAY below for the full interview
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THUNDER CAUSE UPSET
Sydney Thunder have completed the upset, sneaking home by three runs.
Perth Scorchers took the contest to the last over, needing a six off the final delivery to notch up the most unlikeliest of victories but fell agonizingly short.
Fawed Ahmed starred for the Thunder (1-19), with his wrong’un that clean bowled Adam Voges the highlight.
Gurinder Sandhu put on a death bowling masterclass and played his best match of BBL|07 so far, finishing with figures of 1-21 off his four overs.
Fresh off making his Ashes debut, Cam Bancroft’s 75* (56) was the highlight on a night the Scorchers could rue come the end of BBL|07.
Hilton Cartwright 65* (41) partnered Bancroft for the majority of the innings and recorded his third T20 half century but it proved to be in vain.
Click PLAY for full highlights from the Scorchers innings
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Official crowd at Spotless Stadium tonight is 14,706. #BBL07 pic.twitter.com/G8uLycPrEU
— Macquarie Cricket (@MRNCricket) January 11, 2018
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INNINGS BREAK – SYDNEY THUNDER 4/175
A Khawaja-inspired Sydney Thunder have set Perth Scorchers a tricky 176 for victory.
Khawaja, making his first appearance in BBL|07 this season, dispatched the Scorchers bowlers to all parts of Spotless Stadium on the way to 85 (51) before being dismissed by Agar.
On debut, Matthew Kelly impressed Mike Hussey in the box and looked generally composed throughout his first spell in the BBL, finishing with figures of
Tim Bresnan picked up a late wicket but struggled somewhat (2-38 off three overs) for the Scorchers in his first match this year.
We’re set for fireworks later tonight as the Thunder try and cause an upset in Sydney.
Click PLAY below for full highlights from the Thunder’s innings
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Huss: "I'm really impressed with (Matthew) Kelly. He's been the hardest bowler for the Thunder to get away tonight." #BBL07
— Macquarie Cricket (@MRNCricket) January 11, 2018
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Mike Hussey says Perth Scorchers captain Adam Voges is the best skipper in the BBL.
Click PLAY for the full chat
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Julian King also chatted to Sydney Thunder wicketkeeper Jay Lenton earlier, who is playing his first match of BBL|07 tonight.
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Julian King chatted to Perth Scorchers allrounder Ashton Agar pre-game.
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TOSS
Sydney Thunder win the toss and elect to bat.
Click PLAY below for Julian King’s chat with the two captains after the toss
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RECAP
It has been another big day in the world of cricket – here are some of the headlines:
- BBL LAST NIGHT: Hurricanes win thriller
- Mike Hussey predictions controversial wicket
- Cam White makes shock return to ODI setup
- Swepson improving every year, says Hussey
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PREVIEW
Spotless Stadium hosts its last match of BBL|07 as the struggling Sydney Thunder face off against the in-form Perth Scorchers.
Tonight’s clash is essentially an elimination final for the Thunder, who need to pull off an upset to keep their faint finals hopes alive. Currently in sixth spot with just two wins from six, losing tonight would essentially rule them out of playoff contention with three matches to play.
As for the Scorchers, it has been another succesful season so far, winning all bar one of their six matches to far. They came close to losing against the Renegades at the WACA on Monday night but Ashton Turner had other ideas, blasting 70 off 32 balls to ensure victory.
If the Thunder are to cause the upset later tonight, the in-form Fawed Ahmed is likely to play a significant role. Despite losing their last match against the Strikers, Ahmed took three wickets and looked dangerous with the ball throughout.
Tonight’s match looms as a intriguing one between one side in form and one side bidding to re-gain it. Who prevails? We’re not far away from finding out.
Join us from 7.00pm AEDT (4.00pm AWST) on Talking Lifestyle in Sydney, 6PR in Perth, NTS Digital nationally or through the Cricket Australia website and app as David Morrow, Mike Hussey and Julian King bring you all the action from Spotless Stadium.