Sangha goes hard as Thunder defeat Strikers in BBL

ADELAIDE: Sydney Thunder’s Jason Sangha played a blinder before the bowlers surrounded the Adelaide Strikers’ batting line-up; defeating the home side by 22 runs, on Friday.

Set to chase 188, in the 28th match of the ongoing tournament, the Strikers could only score 165 for the loss of seven wickets in the allotted 20 overs; losing their sixth match of the season.

The Strikers had an average start to their run-chase; losing their first wicket for just 23 runs. Matthew Short was the batter, who dismissed after scoring 16. Jake Weatherald and Matt Renshaw then partnered strongly; adding 73 runs for the second wicket. The home side appeared to be in a comfortable position before Renshaw dismissed after scoring a quick 38. He faced just 26 balls and smacked five boundaries.

Following his dismissal, Weatherald was too soon dismissed after scoring 31(29). Following their departure, the Strikers ran into a collapse; slipping from 91/1 to 162/7. Jonathan Wells, who was fighting hard, also became a victim of the match-defining collapse. He top-scored with his 46; facing 26 deliveries, including five boundaries and a six.

For the Thunder, Daniel Sams starred; picking four wickets for 33, while Saqib Mahmood bagged two. Sangha, on the other hand, claimed one wicket.

Batting first, the Thunder started the proceedings decently, with their openers providing an important 37-runs opening stand. Matthew Gikes scored 13 before falling victim to Fawad Ahmed’s brilliant delivery.

Ben Cutting then joined Sangha and recorded a brief partnership of 25-runs, before Cutting fell short. He scored 37 off 32 balls, including three boundaries and two sixes.

The wicket-keeper batter – Sam Billings could not stay for long as well, as he departed after scoring 18(11). Following his dismissal, the Strikers slipped to 98/3 in the 14th over.

Sangha then launched an onslaught against the Strikers’ bowlers. The batter smoked six boundaries and as many sixes for his fiery 91; facing just 55 balls. Oliver Davies, too, was also handy at the death; scoring a quickfire 26 off just 12. He smoked one boundary and two sixes.

With the late heroics from the duo, the Thunder finished with 187/3 in the allotted 20 overs.

Following this victory, the Thunder have claimed the fourth position on the points table, while the Strikers remained the seventh.

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