MELBOURNE: Cameron Boyce’s record-breaking hat-trick went in vain as Sydney Thunder defeated Melbourne Renegades by one run in the 55th match of the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL).
Gurinder Sandhu held his nerve calm to successfully defend nine runs in the final over; leaking only seven runs including a six. He also claimed three wickets in the final over.
Set to chase 171, Renegades’ captain – Aaron Finch fought hard with his magnificent batting display; scoring 82 runs off 64 deliveries, laced with four boundaries and two sixes. However, remained unable to pull off the victory as the batter departed on the third delivery of the final over while trying to slog the ball over the midwicket boundary.
Apart from the skipper, only Unmukt Chand could manage to contribute significantly with his 29, while the rest of the batters dismissed cheaply.
For the Thunder, Sandhu bagged three wickets, while Tanveer Sangha took two. Daniel Sams, on the other hand, made one scalp.
Batting first, the Thunder had a brilliant start to their innings as the openers provided a solid 80-runs partnership for the first wicket until Boyce produced a remarkable turnaround; bagging four wickets in four balls including Alex Hales, who scored a brilliant 44 off just 22 balls, laced with seven boundaries and a six.
As a result, the Thunder slipped from 80/0 to 85/4. Soon after, Boyce also dismissed Matthew Gikes for two to dent the Thunder’s position in the match. Usman Khawaja, on the other hand, put on a stellar batting display to anchor the inning on his BBL return, the batter scored an astonishing 77 off 51 balls, including eight boundaries and a six.
Following Khawaja’s departure, Nathan McAndrew’s late cameo guided the Thunder to 170/8 in the allotted 20 overs.
For the Renegades, Boyce starred; taking a five-fer, while Josh Lalor and Zak Evans picked one wicket apiece.
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