CARRARA: Sydney Thunder completed a double victory over the table-toppers – Perth Scorchers; defeating the latter by six wickets in the 36th match of the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL).
Thunder’s quick – Gurinder Sandhu’s hat trick set the tone for the side’s victory; restricting the Scorchers for 133/9 in the first innings. Later, the batters’ combined effort helped the side thump the table-toppers by six wickets.
Batting first, the Scorchers had an average start to their innings as their opener provided a 33-runs stand. Kurtis Patterson departed after scoring 19 off 14 balls. Cameron Bancroft then walked back to the pavilion after scoring 30; facing 31 balls.
Following his dismissal, the Scorchers’ wickets began to tumble and none of their batters could go big in the end. Ashton Agar, however, impressed with his 10-ball 22, but, fell unlucky as the batter got run-out. He smashed one boundary and two sixes.
For the Thunder, Sandhu took four wickets for just 22 runs, while Saqib Mahmood claimed two. Daniel Sams and Chris Green, on the other hand, bagged one wicket each.
Chasing 134, the Thunder batters displayed a combined batting effort and all the batters made valuable contributions with the bat; assisting the side to secure their sixth victory by six wickets with as many balls to spare. Matthew Gilkes scored 32, followed by the top-scorer for the side – Jason Sangha, who scored 34 off 26 balls, laced with 2 boundaries and as many sixes.
For the Scorchers, Andrew Tye bagged two wickets, while Matthew Kelly claimed one.
Following this victory, the Thunder have consolidated their third position, while the Scorchers remained at the top.