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Right then. That's it from the doubleheader in the BBL today. After a washout in the first game in Sydney, the points had to be shared between the Sydney Sixers and the Brisbane Heat. There was no rain threat around the Optus Stadium though and the Sydney Thunder made the most of that. This comprehensive win gives them a significant boost as they jump to second place, level on points with the Perth Scorchers. Still plenty to play for in this tournament but these two sides currently lead the way and will be hoping that remains the case. There's more BBL action your way tomorrow, of course. Do join us for that, and also to keep up with other sporting action from around the globe. For now, this is Pratyush Rohra, signing off on behalf of my friend, Soorya Sesha. Adios!
Oliver Davies is the Player of the Match. Here is what he has to say: It's the most exciting thing (to play with his younger brother). To put some performance in the nationals and get his opportunity here. He did pretty well tonight, I thought. He took my airpods, lost them and then got them back. My iPad's gone missing as well, he's probably responsible for that too (laughs). (His innings) I premeditated to the one I got out but for most of the innings, I was just reacting to the ball and playing my shots. That's how it's been usually.
Match summary: Sydney Thunder beat Perth Scorchers by 6 wickets.'
The Perth Scorchers' eight-match winning streak at this venue has been snapped in some style. A dominating display by the Sydney Thunder whose bowlers led the way to restrict the Scorchers to 142. That too, was far-fetched at one stage but for Ashton Turner's masterclass with the lower order that saw him give his team something to work with.
Jhye Richardson's double-whammy saw both Alex Hales and Rilee Rossouw nick behind off consecutive deliveries to bring the game to life. All the Thunder needed was one steady partnership though and despite the Scorchers not doing much wrong with the ball, Oliver Davies combined forces with Matthew Gilkes to drive the initiative forward for the visitors.
The duo tapped the ball around and rotated strike whilst also putting away the scoring opportunities. The asking rate was always within control and given that Davies was never going to muck around, the lack of wickets meant that the Scorchers were always playing catch-up on a good batting surface. Clearly, their batters let them down big time as their bowlers had very little to work with beyond a point, although Turner's decision to not roll the dice earlier with Richardson was a surprise.
Davies rolled out some unbelievable shots, stepping out against Peter Hatzoglou at will and rocketing along to a fine half-century. He couldn't finish the job and Gilkes too, departed just after the drinks break with both those moments leaving the door slightly open for the Scorchers to creep through. But with Alex Ross unleashing some ridiculous shots of his own off Richardson, it was always headed one way.
Ross' stunning cameo ensured that the Thunder got the job done with plenty of time to spare. The more worrying sign for the Scorchers though is Richardson walking off without completing his spell. It could just be a precautionary move, but time will tell more as the Scorchers seek to put this loss behind them and move forward. They've lost enough players to injury and the last thing they'd want is to lose their strike force with the ball. Faf du Plessis' campaign is done as he heads home to play the SA20 but the rest of the batting unit must come together and produce the goods going forward. The Thunder are on a roll though - four wins on the trot and they are making a statement of some kind.
Too easy in the end for the Thunder. They were always in front of this contest and have dominated it in large swathes to breach the Scorchers' fortress. That is a massive result for them and they are now level with the home side on points!
17
overs
143/4score
1
1
6
4
4
1
runs
Alex Ross*
41(18)
Ben Cutting
5(6)
Ashton Turner
0/5
16.6 Ashton Turner to Alex Ross, fired in full on the middle stump line. Ross comfortably turns it towards deep mid-wicket to give Sydney Thunder a 6-wicket with 18 balls to spare.
One of the broadcasters mentions that it's a sore heel for Richardson. Let's hope it was just a precautionary move with the game already dusted. Thunder are just one run away!
16.5 Ashton Turner to Alex Ross, FOUR! Dishes out a drag down to Ross. He obliges, rocking back to smack his pull in the gap at cow corner to level the scores
Ashton Turner, right-arm off-break, comes into the attack.
Oh what's happened here? Richardson is going off the field. Has he hurt himself here? He's not averse to injury but let's hope it's nothing major. The skipper comes on to complete the over.
16.4 Jhye Richardson to Alex Ross, FOUR! Tried to bang it in short this time and Ross was expecting it. Gives himself some room and scythes this uppishly through extra cover to find the boundary
That is unbelievable! Not because of the improv, but he had to adjust with Richardson taking pace off and pulling his length back by a fraction. Yet, Ross managed to direct it where he wanted to!
16.3 Jhye Richardson to Alex Ross, SIX! That is insane! Remarkable from Ross, shuffling across to move inside the line of this half-tracker. He's gone over the keeper's head this time, ramping it all the way for a maximum
16.2 Jhye Richardson to Ben Cutting, nails the yorker on this occasion. Cutting clips it towards mid-wicket and gets to the other end
16.1 Jhye Richardson to Alex Ross, back of a length delivery angled into Ross. Drags his pull towards deep backward square leg for a single
Jhye Richardson [3.0-0-24-2] is back into the attack
Sydney Thunder activate the Power Surge (overs 17-18).
A largely good over but for that delivery in the slot. Hatzoglou had to pay the price for it though and Ross duly dispatched it over the fence with a clean bat swing. That's what he brings to the table and it's all coming to a quick end now. Sydney Thunder require 17 runs to win off 24 deliveries at 4.25 RPO.
16
overs
126/4score
0
1w
2
0
1
6
1
runs
Alex Ross*
25(13)
Ben Cutting
4(5)
Peter Hatzoglou
0/33
15.6 Peter Hatzoglou to Alex Ross, flatter on the good length at middle stump. Nudged through mid-wicket for a single in the deep