Thanks to Callum Ferguson captains knock, Sydney Thunder started the BBL season 9 on a resounding note by beating hosts Brisbane Heats by 29 runs played at Gabba, Brisbane on Tuesday.
Sydney Thunder captain Ferguson won the flip and decided to bat first. Usman Khawaja looked in great touch with aggressive stroke play in the first 2 overs. Josh Lalor got the breakthrough for Brisbane dismissing the dangerous Khawaja for 22 off 13 balls. Alex Hales and Matthew Gikes went in quick succession to leave Sydney Thunder in trouble at 38 for 3. At the end of first six overs, Sydney were 44 for 3.
Ferguson and Alex Ross steadied the innings for Thunder taking singles and hitting occasional boundaries. Mitchell Swepson made an important breakthrough dismissing Ross for 30. Ross and Ferguson added 63 runs for the 4th wicket. Swepson dismissed Sams on the very next ball. Chris Green came to the crease and gave good support to Sydney Thunder captain Ferguson. Ferguson reached his fifty off 33 balls. In the last 2 overs, Ferguson hit some big shots along with Arjun Nair to help Sydney Thunder post a competitive total of 172 for 6 in 20 overs. Mitchell Swepson took 2 for 11, Ben Cutting, Ben Laughlin, Steketee and Lalor took 1 wicket each for Brisbane.
Chasing 173 runs to win, playing his first BBL match Tom Banton looked in aggressive touch putting pressure on the Sydney Thunder bowlers. He scored 16 off 7 balls with 1 four and 2 sixes before being dismissed by Cook. Max Bryant also took the attack to Thunder bowling line up. Cook picked his 2nd wicket getting the other opener Bryant cheaply. Brisbane Heats captain Chris Lynn could not contribute anything as he dismissed for 9. At the end of six overs, Brisbane were 46 for 3.
After the power play overs, Arjun Nair, Chris Green was simply sensational with their bowling picking up wickets and controlling the run flow. Ben Cutting hit some big shots but the task was too big for him also. Sydney Thunder bowled out Brisbane Heats for 143 in 19.2 overs. Dam Sams, Cook, Chris Green and Arjun Nair took 2 wickets each for Sydney Thunder bowling line up.
In the 2nd match of the tournament, Sydney Sixers will take on Perth Scorchers to be played at Sydney Cricket Ground, SCG on 18th December.
Sydney Thunder 172 for 6 in 20 overs (Callum Ferguson 73*, Mitchell Swepson 2/11, Ben Cutting 1/19) beat Brisbane Heats 143 in 19.2 overs (Ben Cutting 28, Matt Renshaw 26, Chris Green 2/19, Arjun Nair 2/22) by 29 runs.
