Twitter Reactions: Morgan's final ball six gives Sydney Thunder their first win of the season

By Veeran Rajendiran

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2 Min Read

Kevin Pietersen of the Stars
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Kevin Pietersen of the Stars celebrates with team mate James Faulkner after scoring a half century (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

It took a last-ball six from Eoin Morgan for Sydney Thunder to register their first win this season. The defending champions were on lifeline after having failed to achieve a single win the last four games prior to the start of this epic. But, they can certainly now have a breather after securing a thrilling 6 wickets win against Melbourne Star at the Sydney Showroom Stadium in the 16th match of the Big bash League 2016/17.

Batting first the Stars could manage just 166/8 after being at 147/4 around the 15 overs stage. They suffered a lower order collapse during the final overs of the innings and were unable to capitalise the platform set by Kevin Pietersen (60 runs from 37 balls). Chasing the challenging total, Eoin Morgan, who will be unavailable for the remainder of the season due to national commitments, almost single-handedly created a turnaround, smashing 71 off just 50 ball laced with 3 sixes and 5 fours to play the pivotal role in the win.

The exhilarating chase eventually boiled down to 16 runs off the last six balls which Ben Hilfenhaus was ready to bowl and Pat Cummins and Morgan ready to face. A single each of the first two balls followed by a six from Cummins narrowed the equation to 8 runs from the last three.

Cummins then handed over the strike to Morgan could manage just double from the penultimate ball which was pushed at a fuller length by Hilfenhaus. The home crowd was now left with the fingernails in their mouth as a six was required to win with only one ball in hand. And, stunningly, Morgan did not disappoint and topped his fabulous knock with a match-winning hit over the fence straight over the bowler’s head and seal the deal.

Earlier, finding a suitable partner to steer chase had become a worry for Morgan who was left on his own after the top order failed badly. Opener Kurtis Patterson left to the pavilion after an 39 run partnership for the first wicket. Hilfenhaus then snapped two of the danger men – Aiden Blizzard and Shane Watson – in one single over to put Thunders on a sticky wicket. But, eventually, Ben Rohrer and Pat Cummins came to Morgan’s support and the free-flowing English limited overs skipper, who will be flying to India soon, set up the win.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/816611449590185984

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AustraliaKevin PietersenAiden BlizzardEoin Morgan