SYDNEY: Matthew Gikes, the Sydney Thunder’s put on a brilliant batting display before the pacer Mohammad Hasnain’ brilliant spell guided the home side to seal a convincing victory against Adelaide Strikers in Big Bash League (BBL).
Matthew Gikes scored a magnificent 93 to assist the Thunder to post a commendable total of 172/7. Later it was Pakistan’s speedster – Hasnain’s show, who returned with a match winning figures of 3/20 in his four overs; including a three-wickets maiden, in his BBL debut.
Following the right-arm-pacer’s brilliance, the Strikers, bundled out for 144 in the run chase; losing the match by 28 runs.
Batting first, the Thunder had a brilliant start to their innings, the openers posted an astonishing partnership of 64 runs for the first wicket. The duo was looking solid, but, Ben Cutting departed after scoring 34. He faced just 25 balls and smoked three boundaries and two sixes.
The side then began to lose their batters cheaply, but, Gikes stood firm at another end, and kept the scoreboard ticking single-handedly. He faced only 57 balls for his individual score of 93; including nine boundaries and three sixes.
For the Strikers, Wes Agar and Peter Siddle each claimed three wickets, while Rashid Khan made one scalp.
Set to chase 173, the Strikers’ batting line-up struggled completely, with none of their batter could able to go deep. The side crashed to 144 all-out. Matt Renshaw scored, 30 followed by the top-scorer for the visiting side, Harry Nielsen. He scored 39 off 31 balls, laced with four boundaries and a six.
For the Thunder, Hasnain claimed three wickets, while Saqib Mahmood and Jason Sangha picked two wickets each. Daniel Sams and Chris Green, on the other hand, shared one wicket apiece.
Following this victory, the Thunder have now claimed the third position on the points table, while the Strikers are in seventh.
