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In a rain-effected encounter, Sydney Thunder defeated Melbourne Renegades by seven runs at Carrara Oval in Queensland to go top of the points table in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 2020-21 on Friday.
Chasing a revised target of 173, Thunder got off to a remarkable start as the opening duo of Usman Khawaja, and Alex Hales♍ put together 52 runs on the scoreboard inside first four overs.
Things were going nice for the ‘Men in Yellow’ before a blinder from Mackenzie Harvey at point region ended Hales’ innings. The explosive English opener scored 45 off just 19 balls with six boundaries.
On the other hand, Khawaja kept on tickling the scoreboard and formed another crucial partnership of 28 runs for the second wicket with Callum Ferguson (11) before Imad Wasim cleaned up Thunder skipper.
After 12 overs, Thunder made 117/2 with Khawaja and Sam Billings unbeaten on 48 and 10 respectively. The ꦿrain yet again impacted the game and umpires were forced to announce the result of the contest. As per the DLS method, Thunder won the match by seven runs.
Shaun Marsh guides Renegades to 166/6
Renegades opener Shaun Marsh once again shined for his team with the willow and lifted them to 166/6 when all the other ba𝓡tters relatively failed toꩲ deliver.
Marsh smashed 87 off 48 balls laced up with five humungous sixes in a New Year’s Day clash, which was reduced to 17 overs-per-side due to rain.
The outstanding knock also helped Marsh climb the top of the run-scoring charts in th﷽is tournament with 233. He has surpassed Thunder captain Ferguson who has 208 runs in﷽ the competition.
Apart from Marsh, all-rounder Mohammad Nabi also made vওaluable contribution down the order with 33 off 24 deliveries✨ including three maximums and a four.
For Thunder, medium-pacer Nathan McAndrew𝓰 was the most successful bowler, as he picked up three wickets for 41 in his quota of 4 overs.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Five in a row! 🖐
We win by seven runs on th൩e DLS method after the match was cut short du👍e to rain 🌧 |
— Sydney Thunder (@ThunderBBL)
The weather gods have the better of us tonight.
The win by seven runs (DLS Method)
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL)
Shaun Marsh is the♛ best bat in BBL history. So consistent
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell)
Most 50+ scores in games
20 – SHAUN MARSH (55 games)
20 – Aaron Finch (68)
20 – Chris Lynn (79)
18 – D'Arcy Short (49)
— Swamp (@sirswampthing)
Usman Khawaja right now talking gratitude on the player mic in the rain break 😭♥♏️
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB)
Still remarkable Shaun Marsh doesn’t have a Big Bash hundred. What a great exponent of orthodox cricket shots in 🌳the short forms. Criminal he hasn’t played more T20 for his country.
— Jacob Landsmeer (@jlandsme_93)
How clean is this hitting by Shaun Marsh?
— Lance Jenkinson (@westsport)
Five in a row for the Thunder!
— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket)
Shaun Marsh joins Ben Dunk as the only bats to be dismissed for 87 in a # match. For the superstitious💧, there have been two 86s and three 88s.
— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay)
I know he's unpopular, but great to see Shaun Marsh bat
— mentalist (@mentaliste)
Batted Shaun Marsh. So good to watch.
— Michael Lazarides (@LazaridesM1)
Mitch Perry's reaction to that outrageous catch by Mackenzie Harvey – priceless
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell)
Great chat w꧒ith Usman Khawaja on Fox’s Big Bash coverage right now. Showing some great perspective about his career and life in general.
— Rudi Edsall (@RudiEdsall)
Credit to 🅰them both, Usman Khawaja earlier and Aaron Finch now have both been excellent on the player m🐭ic tonight.
Great insights, generous with their answers..
— Brett McKay (@BMcSport)
Usman Khawaja seems like a lovely bloke
— Kieran (@kieran_cricket)
Excellent rain-brea🐬k chat with Usman ꧋Khawaja. He speaks very well
— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket)
Usman Khawaja seems to be a really cool guy.. loved him with t꧑he mic convo Huss and Gilly!!..❤️😀
— rohit (@jrohit_tweets)
What a Team 🔥
— Rubin (@RJ18_)