BBL 5 Match 30 Review: Thunder stay in contention with a 46-run win

Shane Watson, Andre Russell and Mike Hussey all batted brilliantly to leave Sydney Sixers with a mammoth target at the SCG which they ultimately failed to achieve. A sparkling 66 from Watson and a spectacular cameo from Russell helped the Sydney Thunder to 5-202 in their all-important clash with Sixers in front of a NSW domestic record crowd at the SCG.

Watson was promoted up the order in the absence of star pair Usman Khawaja and Jacques Kallis, and responded beautifully, blazing three sixes and requiring just 41 balls to build the Thunder towards the highest total of this edition of BBL in what is just about a must-win clash for the men in green. Aiden Blizzard made 20 alongside Watson before edging Sean Abbott’s first delivery through to Brad Haddin.

Watson took control from there, upping the ante as he began peppering a 36,000-plus crowd with maximums, including two from Test spinner Nathan Lyon. He was eventually out attempting another six, this time from Ben Dwarshuis, as he picked out Jackson Bird at long on. By that time, Mike Hussey had settled into his innings and provided another valuable contribution, making 41 from 29 as he accelerated the total towards 200 at the back-end of the innings.

New Zealand signing Henry Nicholls came and went for three, giving Lyon his first and only wicket with a sliced cut shot to Doug Bollinger at short third man. Nicholls’ exit paved the way for the arrival of crowd favourite Andre Russell, who wasted no time in clearing the ropes and proceeded to do so on four occasions as he simply exploded in the final overs. He was out for 46 from 20 deliveries, Johan Botha holding the skied chance before tossing the ball to Jordan Silk moments before he stepped over the rope.  Ben Rohrer (14* off 7) and Chris Green (5* off 2) helped the Thunder past 200, leaving a huge task for the Sixers batsmen that proved beyond their reach.

The home side’s innings was all about their skipper Nic Maddinson. The left-hander looked in murderous mood from the outset and gave his team a flying start. He returned for the Sixers and, in the shadow of the Thunder’s gargantuan total, put together his most impressive knock of the tournament. In 40 balls, he made 70 and hit five sixes and four fours, keeping the Sixers on pace through until the 13th over. With Maddinson at the crease and in that kind of mood, 203 looked very much achievable. The likes of Michael Lumb, ED Cowan, Brad Haddin, Jordan Silk and Ben Dwarshuis all went past 10 however couldn’t cross the 20-run mark that cost their team dearly.

The moment of the match was Maddinson’s wicket. Fawad Ahmed was the man, tossing up a tempting offering that the left-hander looked to send over the rope. He didn’t connect properly, however, and Kiwi import Henry Nicholls took a good catch running in from long-on. Clint McKay, Green and Ahmed took 3 wickets each and helped their team win the match.

The Thunder are exceptionally close to a finals berth now, but can’t rest easy just yet. If the Stars lose tonight, they’re through on net run rate. If the Stars win, however, and the Renegades spring an upset at Etihad against the Strikers, it’ll be the net run rate that determines whether the men in green reach their first-ever BBL finals ahead of the Renegades.

Brief Scores:

Sydney Thunder: 202/5 in 20 overs (S Watson 66; S Abbott 2/41)

Sydney Sixers: 156/10 in 17.3 overs (N Maddinson 70; C McKay 3/16)

Man of the match: Shane Watson (Sydney Thunder)