Tag: BBL

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.

READ: Sangha goes hard as Thunder defeat Strikers in BBL

ADELAIDE: Big Bash League (BBL) franchises – Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars hit with four and 15 new COVID-19 cases, respectively.

As per Cricket Australia (CA), four playing members of the Thunder tested positive ahead of their fixture against Adelaide Strikers. The cricketing body, however, gave the green signal for the New Year’s Eve match to proceed as per the schdule.

The four Thunder players have isolated themselves until they returned a negative result.

On the other hand, the Stars are facing an anxious wait after reporting 15 cases among their players and support personnel, with their next match against Perth Scorchers on January 2 at St Kilda’s Junction Oval.

Taking to Twitter, the official website of the CA, shared the news of the COVID-19 outbreak in the playing camps.

JUST IN: Eleven players across two BBL clubs have tested positive for COVID-19 as urgent discussions take place ahead of scheduled matches. https://t.co/av0hxIyOg2

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 31, 2021

It is apropos to mention here that the last night’s clash between the Stars and the Scorchers was postponed; following a COVID-19 positive case in the home side’s camp.

READ: Australia’s Travis Head tests COVID-19 positive

MELBOURNE: The 27th match of the Big Bash League (BBL) between Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers, postponed; following a COVID-19 positive case in the home side’s camp, on Thursday.

On Thursday afternoon, a Stars support staff member returned a positive test, exposing numerous members of the team’s playing group.

All the Stars players and staff who had contact with the positive case underwent PCR tests as soon as possible, according to Cricket Australia (CA), but the results were not retrieved in time for the match to go ahead.

Pakistan’s speedster, Haris Rauf, who joined the Stars recently, was set to play his first match today.

Earlier, another Pakistani player, Shadab Khan, who joined the Sydney Sixers for the remainder of the BBL 11, had to isolate himself. The leg-spinner, who played his first match of the season yesterday, has been unable to join the squad.

Shadab, also could not share the dressing room with his teammates. The bio-secure bubble also forced the leggie to practice separately for the last night’s clash against the Brisbane Heat.

It is worth noting that England’s camp in Australia for the ongoing Ashes series has been rocked by the seventh positive COVID-19 case.

English head coach – Chris Silverwood’s family member contracted the widely spread virus; forcing the coach to isolate himself for 10 days. Assistant coach – Graham Thorpe will take Silverwood’s place in the fourth Test; starting from January 5 in Sydney.

In addition, match referee David Boon, too, contracted the virus and will miss the forthcoming fourth Test between the arch-rivals.

READ: COVID-19 keeps denting England’s camp during the Ashes

SYDNEY: Sean Abbott and Ben Dwarshuis held their nerves calm to seal the victory for the Sydney Sixers on the final ball of the match against Brisbane Heat.

The Sixers only needed two runs in the final over of the low scoring contest. Xavier Bartlett, however, made it difficult for the hosts; bowling four dots off the first five balls, but, Abbot, held his nerve calm to score a run on the final delivery.

Set to chase a paltry 106 in 20 overs, the Sixers batting line-up fumbled; losing eight wickets for just 47 runs in the 13th over. However, Abbott and Dwarshuis showed fightback and recorded a match winning partnership of 59-runs, to help their side clinch the victory.

Abbott, top-scored with his valiant 37 off 43 balls, laced with two boundaries and as many sixes, while Dwarshuis scored 23 off 20; smashing three boundaries.

For the Stars, Jack Wildermuth, James Bazley, and Bartlett, each claimed two wickets, while Mujeeb Ur Rehman picked up a wicket.

Batting first, the Stars’ batters, too, struggled throughout the innings, with none of their batters could go big; resulting in Stars being bowled out for a skimpy 105. Max Bryant scored 22, followed by their top-scorer, Wildermuth, who scored 27 off 26 balls.

For the Sixers, Abbott starred; picking four wickets. Dwarshuis and Hayden Kerr, on the other hand, claimed two wickets, while Dan Christian made one scalp.

Following this victory, the Sixers have claimed the top position, while the Heat are in fifth place.

READ: McDermott’s century helps Hurricanes crush Stars in BBL fixture

MELBOURNE: In the 26th match of the ongoing edition of Big Bash League (BBL), Ben McDermott scored a magnificent century to help Hobart Hurricanes hand a crushing defeat to Melbourne Stars.

Hurricanes’ batter, McDermott scored a remarkable century; scoring 127 off just 65 to set the tone for the victory, the side, in the end, defeated the hosts by a massive margin of 85 runs.

Set to chase, 207, the Stars batting line-up struggled completely. Apart from Sam Harper, who scored a valiant half-century, none of their batter could able to make an impact with the bat. The Stars, eventually, bundled out for a paltry 121.

Harper top-scored with his 57 off just 35 balls, including four boundaries and three sixes. Jake Fraser-McGurk scored the second most runs in the run-chase; scoring only 21.

The Hurricanes’ bowlers were on song, with Tom Rogers and Sandeep Lamichhane each taking three wickets. Whereas, Riley Meredith and D’Arcy Short shared one wicket apiece.

Batting first, the Hurricanes’ start of their innings, also halted by a poor start; losing three wickets for just 52 runs. McDermott and Peter Handscomb, however, put on a remarkable partnership of 115-runs. Handscomb fell short after scoring 24 off 20 balls, hitting two boundaries.

McDermott, on the other hand, kept scoring the runs for his side and put on his second century of the ongoing season. He became only the third batter to score two centuries in a single season of BBL. The opening batter smoked nine boundaries and as many sixes.

Later in the innings, Tim David played a crucial blinder; scoring a quickfire 30 off just nine balls; smashing one boundary and four sixes. With his contribution, the Hurricanes, finished at 206/5 in their allotted 20 overs.

With this victory, the Hurricanes moved up to the third position, while Stars remained at the sixth.

READ: Sydney Thunder push Perth Scorchers to their first defeat in BBL

CANBERRA: Sam Billings’ brilliance helped Sydney Thunder beat Perth Scorchers by 34 runs; handing the Scorchers their first defeat in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL).

Chasing 201, in the 24th match of the BBL, the Scorchers’ batters failed to get their side over the line. The side had a poor start to their inning; losing the first three wickets for just 17 runs.

The scorchers continued to lose wickets at a consistent pace, but, Colin Munro, on the other hand, showed fightback. The batter scored an unbeaten 64 off 43 balls, including six boundaries. But, Munro’s heroics too, could not drive the side to victory.

Later, Andrew Tye played a blinder; scoring 44 off just 25 balls, but, fell short. He smashed three boundaries and as many sixes. With no significant contribution from the fellow-batters, the side, in the end, restricted to 166/8 in the allotted 20 overs.

For Thunder, Nathan McAndrew starred; picking three wickets, while Chris Green and Saqib Mahmood each took two wickets. Daniel Sams, on the other hand, bagged one wicket.

Batting first, the Thunder also started their innings poorly, the side lost their opener – Matthew Gikes at a combined score of five. Soon after, Alex Hales, too, dismissed cheaply after scoring just 13. The thunder slipped to 23/2 in the fourth over.

Jason Sangha and Billings then batted brilliantly and partnered strongly, to set the tone for the Thunder to post a commendable total of 200 in their allotted 20 overs. The pair put on an astonishing 113-runs partnership.

Both Sangha and Billings scored magnificent half-centuries. Sangha scored an unbeaten 56 off 46 balls, laced with five boundaries, followed by the top-scored and the player of the match – Billings, who smashed a terrific 67 off just 35 balls, including 10 boundaries and two sixes.

With small but important contributions from the batting tail, the Thunder finished at 200/7 in their sixth match of the ongoing tournament.

For the Scorchers, Matthew Kelly picked three wickets for 30, while Mitchell Marsh bagged two wickets. Jason Behrendorff and Tye, on the other hand, shared one wicket apiece.

Following this victory, the Thunder moved up to the fourth position, while the Scorchers remained at the top.

READ: Scorchers edge past Renegades to stay unbeaten in BBL

MELBOURNE: Perth Scorchers’ Colin Munro and Mitchell Marsh batted superbly and partnered brilliantly to help their side chase down 152 against Melbourne Renegades in the 21st match of Big Bash League (BBL).

Set to chase 152, Munro and Marsh posted an important match winning partnership of 99-runs to seal the victory for their side. Munro smashed a brilliant half-century. He scored an unbeaten 58 off 32 balls, including six boundaries and two maximums. Marsh, on the other hand, also impressed; scoring 42 off 33 balls, laced with two boundaries and a six.

Earlier, the Scorchers’ openers – Cameron Bancroft and Josh Inglis provided a solid start to the inning. The pair added 49-runs for the first wicket before Inglis departed after scoring 23. Bancroft, too, soon departed after scoring 23.

For the Renegades, Zahir Khan and Nic Maddinson each took one wicket.

Batting first, the Renegades were halted by a poor start; losing their first wicket for just 12. Aaron Finch was the batter, who departed after scoring just eight. Mackenzie Harvey and Sam Harper, however, tried to anchor the innings. The pair added a valiant 56-runs partnership before Harper dismissed after scoring 32 off 25 balls, including four boundaries.

Harvey, on the other hand, scored 45 off 40, and was a touch too slow. He departed after getting run-out. The rest of their batters failed to get going and the side managed to score 151/8 in their allotted 20 overs.

For the Scorchers, Ashton Agar, Tymal Mills, Jason Behrendorff each took two wickets, while Marsh struck out a batter.

Following this victory, the Scorchers have consolidated their top-position on the points table, while the Renegades are at the bottom.

READ: Sixers beat Thunder in a rain-affected match of BBL

SYDNEY: Sydney Sixers defeated Sydney Thunder by 30 runs in a rain-affected 20th match of the ongoing edition of Big Bash League (BBL), on Sunday.

Set to chase 172 runs in 16 overs by D\L method. The Thunder, bundled out for 142 in the second last over. The side were off to a poor start; losing their first wicket for just six runs, Matthew Gikes dismissed after scoring a run-a-ball six.

Alex Hales and Jason Sangha, then posted an important partnership; adding 33 runs to the team’s total. The pair appeared to be solid before Hales departed after scoring 14 off just six balls, he smashed two sixes. Jason Sangha, on the other hand, was the lone warrior for the Thunder. He scored a fighting 47 off 30 balls, laced with six boundaries and a six.

Following Sangha’s dismissal at a combined score of 93, the Thunder then collapsed from 93/3 to 142 all-out.

For the Sixers, Hayden Kerr starred; taking three wickets, while Lloyd Pope, Saun Abbott, and Ben Dwarshuis each claimed two wickets. Mickey Edwards, on the other hand, managed to struck out a batter.

Batting first, the Sixers had an average start to their innings; losing their first wicket for 24 runs. Josh Philippe was the batter, who dismissed after scoring 13. However, James Vince and Daniel Hughes then recorded an important partnership of 38-runs. Vince departed after scoring 31 off 29 balls, including five boundaries.

Hughes, on the other hand, kept going and went on to score a brilliant half-century. He scored 50 off 26 balls, laced with a boundary and five sixes. Later in the innings, Dan Christian’s astonishing cameo of 41 off just 17 balls, helped the Sixers post a commendable total of 168/4 in the allotted 16 overs. Christian smoked four boundaries and two sixes.

For the Thunder, Daniel Sams bagged two wickets, while Saqib Mahmood and Chris Green each struck out a batter.

Following this victory, the Sixers have now claimed the second position on the points table. Whereas, the Thunder are standing at the third.

READ: McDermott hits fifty before bowlers drive Hurricanes to victory in BBL

HOBART: Hobart Hurricane’s opener – Ben McDermott scored a brilliant half-century then their bowlers wreak havoc over Melbourne Stars; defeating the side by 24 runs, in the 19th match of Big Bash League (BBL) at Bellerive Oval.

At the toss, the Hurricanes’ skipper, Matthew Wade after winning the toss, elected to bat first. The home side started their innings brilliantly; with the openers recording a wonderful partnership of 93 runs. Wade was the batter, who dismissed after scoring a brilliant 39 off 27 balls; smashing two boundaries and as many sixes.

McDermott, on the other hand, was even handier, the batter went on to smash a terrific half-century. He scored 67 off 43 balls, laced with four boundaries and as many sixes. McDermott remained the top-scorer for his side. With valuable contributions from the rest of the batters, the Hurricanes finished at 180/6 in their allotted 20 overs.

For Stars, Andre Russell claimed three wickets, but, was expensive. Nathan Coulter-Nile picked two wickets during his economical spell, while Brody Couch took one wicket.

Chasing 181, the Stars, could not find the rhythm and struggled throughout the innings. Joe Clarke, however, impressed with his magnificent 52 off 40 deliveries, including two boundaries and three sixes. But, soon after Clarke’s dismissal, the Stars’ batters could not go deep, and the side, in the end, restricted to 156/9 in the allotted overs.

For the Hurricanes, Riley Meredith and Tom Rogers each claimed three wickets. Nathan Ellis bagged two wickets for just 27 runs, while D’Arcy Short took one wicket.

With this victory, the Hurricanes have now moved to the third position, while the Stars are struggling at the seventh position.

READ: Duckett, Heazlett star as Heat thump Strikers in BBL

ADELAIDE: Brisbane Heat’s batters, Ben Duckett and Sam Heazlett batted brilliantly and partnered strongly to help their side defeat Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League (BBL) fixture, on Thursday.

Ducket and Heazlett’s strong partnership helped the Heat to post a massive total of 208 in their allotted 20 overs, Strikers in response could only score 168; losing the match by 40 runs.

Batting first, the Heat openers, could not provide a solid start to the team; losing the first wicket for just 10 runs. Chris Lynn was the batter who departed after scoring 10 off just five deliveries, smacking two boundaries. Soon after, the side lost their second wicket for just 34 runs, as Tom Cooper departed after scoring 16.

Max Bryant, too, dismissed after recording a brief partnership with Duckett, Bryant scored 32 off 20 balls; smashing five boundaries and a six. Heazlett then joined the party and posted a magnificent partnership of 114, along with Duckett. Heazlett played a brilliant inning, but, fell unlucky; missing his well-deserved half-century by just one run. He dismissed on 49, facing 30 balls, laced with three boundaries and as many sixes.

On the very next ball, Rashid Khan sent Duckett back to the pavilion, the batter top-scored with 78 off 47 balls; smashing 10 boundaries and two sixes. With little contributions from down the order, the Heat finished at 208/7 in 20 overs.

For the Strikers, Rashid bagged three wickets, while Wes Agar and Peter Siddle each claimed two wickets.

Chasing a mammoth, the Strikers struggled to get off to a good start; losing two wickets for just 17 runs. Jack Weatherald (1) dismissed, followed by Matthew Shot (14).

Matt Renshaw and Jonathan Wells then recorder an astonishing partnership; adding 61 runs into the team’s total. The pair appeared solid but, Renshaw dismissed after scoring just 22. Wells, on the other hand, kept going and went on to score his half-century. He top-scored with 55 off 41 balls, including six boundaries and a six.

Following Wells’ dismissal, none of their batters could able to go big at the depth. The Strikers, in the end, restricted to 168/8 in the allotted overs.

For Heat, Matthew Kuhnemann and Mark Steketee, each claimed three wickets. James Bazley, on the other hand, bagged two wickets.

READ: Scorchers shine with fifth consecutive win in BBL