BBL 07, Match 33, Review: Sydney Thunder stay alive with a comfortable win over Stars

It was the bottom of the table clash on Saturday at the iconic MCG between Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL). Both the teams were in the must-win situation to stay alive, especially for the former team as they still had a realistic chance to qualify for the knockout stage. While they managed to overcome Stars who lost yet another game at home and were finally out of the competition after registering their seventh loss out of eight matches.

After being invited by the opposition to bat first, Stars lost three quick wickets upfront which crushed their hopes of posting a huge total on the board. The key players like Ben Dunk, Kevin Pietersen and Glenn Maxwell were sent back to the dugout. Though the other opener Peter Handscomb held one end and was joined Seb Gotch as they resurrected the innings with a 49-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Just when they were set to launch an assault on the Thunder, Handscomb chipped one back to Mitchell McClenaghan in the 15th over. But his stay was fruitful in the middle and scored 57 off 44 deliveries with 7 fours. Gotch was also dismissed for 31 a couple of overs later as the hosts failed to accelerate in the death overs. Eventually, they could only post 147 runs for the loss of six wickets after 20 overs. All the bowlers picked wickets for the visitors as Chris Green was the pick of the bowlers with 2/27 from his four overs.

Clinical chase

In response, Thunder were obviously under pressure as it was a must-win encounter for them. But the opening duo of James Vince and Usman Khawaja got them off to a flier. They cleared their intentions from word go and scored at a fast pace in the powerplay overs. Stars bowlers had no answer to their onslaught even as the visitors scored 85 in just eight overs. While Khawaja smashed 44 off 26 deliveries with 9 fours, Vince looked fluent in his 40 off 29 balls with 4 fours and a couple of maximums. Both were dismissed by the left-arm spinner, Liam Bowe.

But they had done their job after which Shane Watson controlled the innings perfectly. he was the lone ranger for his team after that and pummelled the bowlers who came their way. Watto was also lucky having dropped twice courtesy hapless fielding by the home side. Sydney Thunder reached their target of 148 in the 17th over as the skipper Watson remained not out on 49 off just 28 deliveries with 5 fours and a couple of big hits out of the ground. They won by seven wickets comfortably thereby staying well and truly alive in the tournament.

Sydney Thunder also went past Sydney Sixers in the points table as they now have 8 points after four wins from nine matches. They will now have to win their last game against Melbourne Renegades and then hope that a few results go their way to qualify for the semi-finals.

Brief Scores

Melbourne Stars 147/6 after 20 overs (P Handscomb 57, S Gotch 31; C Green 2/27)

Sydney Thunder 149/3 after 16.1 overs (S Watson 49*, U Khawaja 44, J Vince 40; L Bowe 2/30)

Result: Sydney Thunder won by 7 wickets

Man of the Match: Shane Watson