BBL 2020-21: Match 51, STR vs THU – A narrow defeat for the Thunder, Milne’s dream spell, Carey @ 50 dismissals and more stats

Adelaide Strikers held on to a 6-run win against Sydney Thunder on Sunday while defending their total of 159/6. Each of Strikers’ top five scored at least 22 runs but none went past 31. The second half of the innings was completely owned by the Thunder except for one big over. Thunder was on course of the target chase having moved to 73/1 by the 10th over. Michael Neser dismissed both the set batsmen Khawaja and Ferguson to turn the game into home team’s favour as Thunder ended up with 153/7.

Here are all the statistical highlights from Adelaide Strikers’ thrilling win during STR vs THU game:

A narrow defeat for the Thunder:

6 – Sydney Thunder’s 6-run defeat is now the joint-narrowest loss in terms of runs in the BBL. Thunder lost to Melbourne Renegades by 6 runs in the 2011-12 season while chasing 141 and against Adelaide Strikers in the 2013-14 season during a 154-run chase.

2018 – Adelaide Strikers have defeated Sydney Thunder for the first time since the start of 2019. Their last win against Thunder came on the eve of the New Year 2019. Between these two wins, the Strikers lost three of the four matches they played against Thunder; all three of them batting first while another game ended in a washout.

Milne’s dream spell with the ball:

6 – The six runs conceded by Adam Milne during the THU vs STR game are the 2nd fewest by any bowler in a BBL match. (Min: 4 overs) Mitchell Johnson gave away only three runs during the 2016-17 season against the Melbourne Stars while representing Perth Scorchers.

Carey @ 50 dismissals:

51 – Alex Carey became the first player in the history of Big Bash League to affect 50 dismissals as a wicketkeeper with the catch of Alex Hales during THU vs STR. 47 out of 51 dismissals by Carey in the BBL are catches which are by far the most for any keeper.

A tough game with the ball for McAndrew:

2 – Nathan McAndrew became the first bowler to concede 50+ runs in a Big Bash League game on multiple occasions while representing the Sydney Thunder as he conceded 53 runs in his four overs during the THU vs STR game.

McAndrew was hit for 57 runs by the Sydney Sixers in their previous game which was the most conceded by any player for Thunder in a BBL game.

Neser only behind Rashid:

61 – Michael Neser now has picked up 61 wickets in the BBL for Adelaide Strikers; the 2nd most by any bowler for this franchise after Rashid Khan (70). Neser became the most successful pacer of the Strikers in the BBL by going past Ben Laughlin’s tally of 60 wickets with his two scalps during the THU vs STR game.