Big Bash League T20: Sydney Thunder finally end 19-match losing streak

Gurinder Sandhu took 3 wickets and was Man of the Match for a match-winning performance for Sydney Thunder

A superb bowling performance from Sydney Thunder and a quick-fire 46 from Dilshan took the Sydney Thunder to a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Melbourne Renegades today in Big Bash League T20.

With this win, Sydney Thunder put an end to their losing streak as they had lost 19 T20 match in a row. Only Quetta Bears of Pakistan have a worse record (27 losses) when it comes to consecutive T20 losses, and Sydney Thunder would heave a sigh of relief after ending the dreaded streak.

After winning the toss, Melbourne Renegades managed only 104 on a challenging surface at Docklands. Sydney Thunder subsequently chased down the target comfortably.

The return of James Pattinson and Aaron Finch was huge boost for Melbourne Renegades, but they didn’t make most of it. Finch, who scored a magnificent century against England at Melbourne, was expected to the same job against Sydney Thunder. But he departed in the second ball off the match as he was clean bowled by Gurinder Sandhu.

Doolan (8) also fell in the next over off Sandhu as the latter didn’t read the full length properly and drove the ball straight to mid-on fielder Tremain. Ben Rohrer and Harris survived the Thunder attack and added 50 runs for the third wicket before Tye removed Rohrer for 22.

From there on, Melbourne Renegades lost wickets regularly and none of the batsmen bothered to stay at the crease and bat sensibly. The manner in which they were dismissed suggests that none of the batsmen had the patience to offer resistance and select the shot according to the movement off the ball. Eventually, Melbourne Renegades were bowled out for 104.

Sandhu was the pick of the bowlers as he claimed three wickets, while Ajantha Mendis scalped couple of wickets. And rest of the bowlers settled for one wicket apiece.

The target of 105 looked easy for Sydney Thunder given the kind of batsmen they have. Usman Khawja and Dilshan attacked the bowlers right from the word go, and put on 89 runs for the first wicket before Pattinson removed Dilshan for 46. However Hussey walked in and finished the game for Thunder.

Brief Scores:

Melbourne Renegades 104 all out in 18.3 overs (Daniel Harris 30, Ben Rohrer 22; Gurinder Sandhu 3/21)

lost to

Sydney Thunder 105/1 in 11.3 overs (Usman Khawaja 46, Tillakaratne Dilshan 46; James Pattinson 1/30)