Match 50, Sydney, January 21, 2023, 01:35 PM
Sydney Sixers
187/2(19.0ov)
Sydney Thunder
62/10(14.4ov)
Sydney Sixers beat Sydney Thunder by 125 runs
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Steven Smith
Commentry
That's it from this game. It was a one-sided fair. The BBL caravan continues and it's a double header tomorrow. Brisbane Heat take on Melbourne Stars from The Gabba in Brisbane at 8.10 am IST (2.40 am GMT). Later, Perth Scorchers will then take on Melbourne Renegades from Optus Stadium in Perth at 1.45 pm IST (8.15 am GMT). Do join us for early coverage of both those games. Cheers!
Steven Smith wins the Man of the Match award for his incredible unbeaten knock of 125 runs.
Earlier in the innings, after optng to bat first. Sixers' came out all guns-blazing. Steven Smith came out with an aggressive set of mind and went on to rack up consecutive tons in the BBL. Before the last match he never scored a single century in Big Bash League but now he has two in two matches. He is certianly making a huge statement with the blade in the shortest format. He was well supported by Moises Henriques till the very end and built a stand of 155 runs for the third wicket. Later on, it just proved to be too much for Sydney Thunder.
It was all about Sydney Sixers in this match, across both innings and also a story about two Steve's. As Steve O'Keefe stole the spotlight from Steve Smith with an incredible four-wicket haul which helped them to bundle out Sydney Thunder for just 62 runs. Sean Abbott also stood out with the ball with a three-fer. But all credit to Todd Murphy who put a lid over the run rate from the word go as he kept things tight with the new ball and eventually even got a truly deserved wicket to his name, while Ben Dwarshuis chipped in with a brace.
It almost has been a contrast in the behaviour of the deck in each innings. It got much slower and gripped a lot in the second innings as compared to the first one which made it even more difficult for Sydney Thunder. Sydney Thunder batters never looked settled at the crease and were put on the backfoot instantly as no one turned up with the blade. From the first seven batters only one could get into double-digits - that is David Warner. However, even he struggled a lot to time the ball and slipped out at 23-ball 16. Joel Davies is the only other batter who surpassed the single-digit score.
A comprehensive win for the Sydney Sixers and they come out on top in this fierce local rivalry by 125 runs. Sydney Thunder would be gutted with their effort, as they succumbed under the scoreboard pressure.
In over# 15
0W
1
0W
1
Sean Abbott 11/3(2.4)
14.4
W
OUT! TIMBER! That is it! Game over! Sean Abbott takes the final wicket and ends up with a 3 wicket haul. Sean Abbott bowled a full and straight delivery. Chris Green plays down the wrong line and loses his off-stump. Sydney Thunder's net run rate will be hugely affected by this loss. Sydney Thunder did not turn up with the bat in a much fancied Sydney Smash and got an absolute smacking by a massive margin of 125 runs.
14.3
1
A single now! Tossed up, on off. Usman Qadir taps it to point for a quick run.
Usman Qadir is the last man in.
14.2
W
OUT! GONE! CAUGHT! Short ball outside off, Gurinder Sandhu goes for it and hits it only as far as Moises Henriques at mid on who takes it with ease. Sydney Thunder has got yet another batting collapse this season as they lose their 9th.
14.1
1
Length around off, Chris Green plays wide of the body and inside edges it into the off side.
Sydney Thunder take the Power Surge. Sean Abbott to have a go in the sole over with restricted field set-up.
In over# 14
0
0
1wd
0W
1
1
4
Ben Dwarshuis 14/2(3)
13.6
.
Length again on off, Gurinder Sandhu steers it to point.
13.5
.
Length on off, Gurinder Sandhu dabs it to point.
13.5
1wd
Full and going down the leg, Gurinder Sandhu looks to clip and misses. Wid signaled!
13.4
W
OUT! CAUGHT IN THE DEEP! Joel Davies holes out this time. It is a short ball, drifting down leg. Joel Davies swivels and smacks it towards fine leg. Although he hits it straight down the throat of Todd Murphy in the deep who makes no mistake. Gurinder Sandhu now joins Chris Green at the crease.
13.3
1
Ben Dwarshuis gets a wide yorker out of his sleeve now and slashes it through covers for another single.