After a stellar bowling performance in the opening BBL match, Jason Sangha, Alex Ross, and Gurinder Sandhu helped Sydney Thunder register a last-ball victory over the Melbourne Stars.
Jason Sangha the Sydney Thunder captain had won the toss and opted to bowl first on the Manuka Oel pitch in Canberra.
Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars Playing XI
Sydney Thunder: Alex Hales, Matthew Gilkes (WK), Rilee Rossouw, Jason Sangha (C), Daniel Sams, Alex Ross, Oliver Davies, Chris Green, Gurinder Sandhu, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Brendan Doggett
Melbourne Stars: Tom Rogers, Joe Clarke (WK), Joe Burns, Nick Larkin, Marcus Stoinis, Hilton Cartwright, Beau Webster, Luke Wood, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa (C), Trent Boult
Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars Match Highlights
Captain Jason’s decision to bowl first paid off, thanks to the quick and fiery spells from the Sydney Thunder bowlers. Gurinder Sandhu, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Daniel Sams all picked up 2 wickets each to stop the Melbourne Stars batsmen from scoring too many runs. In the end, the Stars only managed to set a target of 123 runs for the Sydney Thunder, with Nick Larkin as their top scorer with 25 runs.
The Stars bowlers got off to a great start, picking up a few early wickets. The Thunder batsmen were put under pressure by Trent Boult’s brilliant bowling, taking two wickets, and Nathan Coulter-Nile’s three-wicket haul. Jason Sangha and Alex Ross tried to fight back with a partnership of 24 runs and 28 runs respectively. However, Captain Adam Zampa showed them the way toward the pavilion. Gurinder Sandhu then played some quick shots and his unbeaten 20 runs led the Sydney Thunder to victory on the final ball of the 20th over.
Four byes to win and the @ThunderBBL dugout couldn't believe their luck! #BBL12 pic.twitter.com/al0NwC5hOr
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 13, 2022
Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars Scorecard
THU vs STA: 1st Match, Big Bash League 12
Sydney Thunder: 123/9 in 20 overs
Melbourne Stars: 122/8 20 in overs
Result: Sydney Thunder won by 1 wicket