Twitter Reactions: Alex Hales-Usman Khawaja's opening 96-run opening partnership guides Sydney Thunder to the win against Hobart Hurricanes

Sydney Thunder came face to face against Hobart Hurricanes in the 31 match of BBL 2019-20. It was expected to be an enthralling contest between the two teams but that was not the case. Usman Khawaja and Alex Hales steered their side to win in the game played at Sydney Showground Stadium in Sydney. This also marked Thunder’s third win in the ongoing tournament.

After winning the toss, Thunder elected to field and the decision didn’t go as per their expectations. Hurricanes’ openers Matthew Wade and Caleb Jewell stitched a brilliant partnership of 36  runs for the first wicket. The dangerous-looking stand was broken by fas bowler Brendon Doggett. Hurricanes skipper tried to smash the ball over the point fielder but failed to get his timing right as he was caught by Alex Ross.

Sydney Thunder’s openers set the stage on fire

Jewell also got out against Liam Bowe after scoring 31 runs. At one time, Hurricanes were struggling on a score of 77 runs for three wickets. But a brilliant partnership of 64 runs between George Bailey (43 runs off 30 balls)  and Ben McDermott (33 runs off 24 balls) helped their side in overcoming from the early setbacks. They smashed the Strikers bowlers all across the park. In the end, Hurricanes managed to post a competitive score of 162 runs in stipulated 20 overs courtesy to their knocks. Daniel Sams turned out to be the best bowlers for his team as he registered brilliant bowling figures of 2/29.

Coming onto the chase, Strikers got off to a great start that certainly took the game away from Hurricanes. Their openers Usman Khawaja and Alex Hales stitched a mind-wobbling stand of 96 runs in 10 overs. Finally, the dangerous partnership was broken by Clive Rose in the 11th over of the innings. The right-handed batsman from England tried to deliver the ball into the stands but he didn’t get his elevation right due to which he was caught by Qais Ahmad.

Later on, Alex Ross played a swashbuckling knock of 32 runs off 21 balls with two boundaries and one six to help Thunder in registering a convincing win as they chased down the target with two balls to spare. This also helped Khawaja and Co. in grabbing two important points that took them to the 2nd position in the league table. Also, Alex Hales was awarded Man of the Match for his brilliant knock.

Here is how Twitter reacted:

Probably shouldn't have been that close in the end but the Thunder got there with two balls to spare. Alex Hales set up the win. #BBL09

— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) January 11, 2020

Great 50 by Alex Hales, good to see him scoring some runs. He's one of the beautiful limited overs batsman, missed the World Cup also due to recreational uses.

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 11, 2020

Good knock Alex Hales😍…#BBL09

— Bhargesh🏏. (@CricJammy_12) January 11, 2020

Alex Hales gone
Well played@ThunderBBL #BBL09

— Mehedi Hasan Shawon (@SportsBoyShawn) January 11, 2020

Alex Hales half century for the Sydney Thunder… looking forward to watching Liam Livingstone and Tom Banton later too…

— Charles Dagnall (@CharlesDagnall) January 11, 2020

Alex Hales smashing them now. #BBL09

— Skippy Johnston 🦘🇦🇺 (@LukeAFoley) January 11, 2020

Alex Hales 🙌🙌#BigBashLeague

— Cricket Boy (@Thecricketboy23) January 11, 2020

First six of the @ThunderBBL innings comes from the bat of Alex Hales! #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/Lu44cB5M5f

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 11, 2020

What an innings from Alex Ross under pressure ! He batted so beautifully especially the rotation of strike and took the calculated risk from time to time… Fourth victory of the tournament🔥🔥 @ThunderBBL #BBL09 #ThunderNation

— JATIN (@Kiaras_Jatin) January 11, 2020

A close one to the very end… 😭#TasmaniasTeam #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/XBxvrmWMRi

— Hobart Hurricanes (@HurricanesBBL) January 11, 2020

Thunder did their best to bottle that but they staggered over the line…#BBL09

— Zelina #1 (@bainalan05) January 11, 2020

Yesss ! We are back with a bang @ThunderBBL #BBL09 #ThunderNation

— JATIN (@Kiaras_Jatin) January 11, 2020

I'm calling it, George Baileys dismissal that he missed by a mile has effected the outcome of this match #BBL09

— Chris Stevens (@TheLadfromAus) January 11, 2020

Nathan Ellis bowls 140+ and he’s bowling piddling slower balls to a tailender. Should have attacked the stumps with speed. #BBL09

— Michael Randall (@MickRandallHS) January 11, 2020