BBL 13 (Game 30) – Thunder vs Scorchers
The Perth Scorchers displayed dominance in a high-stakes clash against the Sydney Thunder, securing an emphatic 7 wicket victory at the Giants Stadium in Sydney.
Batting first, the Thunder’s innings commenced steadily despite the early run-out of Cameron Bancroft, with Alex Hales anchoring the innings with a resilient 72. However, losing Tom Kohler-Cadmore and facing difficulties in the Power Surge disrupted their momentum. Hales battled through three run-outs but provided his team a fighting chance, setting a target of 138. Ashton Agar and Cooper Connolly stood out for the Thunder, sharing five crucial wickets between them to see their side come out on top after the first innings.
Chasing a modest total, the Scorchers’ openers capitalized on the Thunder’s inability to build pressure. Despite the early dismissal of Aaron Hardie, the Scorchers capitalized on Zak Crawley’s composed innings, setting the pace with rotations and partnerships. Crawley’s fifty and contributions from Hardie and Josh Inglis solidified the chase, culminating in a convincing victory.
The Scorchers’ resounding win marks their fifth triumph in the competition, significantly boosting their chances of a top-two finish. Conversely, the Thunder faced setbacks, particularly from the 11-over mark onward, compounded by three critical run-outs during their innings. Despite commendable efforts from their bowlers, it wasn’t sufficient to counter the Scorchers’ determined pursuit of victory.
Chief Scores:
Sydney Thunder – 137 for 8 in 20 overs (Alex Hales 72, Tom Kohler Cadmore 27, Cameron Bancroft 12, Cooper Connolly 3 for 25, Ashton Agar 2 for 6, Lance Morris 0 for 4)
Perth Scorchers – 140 for 3 in 19.1 overs (Zak Crawley 58, Josh Inglis 26*, Aaron Hardie 22, Nathan McAndrew 2 for 27, Chris Green 1 for 22, Oliver Davies 0 for 4)
