Sydney Thunder fell short to the Melbourne Renegades at the CitiPower Centre as the club farwelled two legends of the game, Alex Blackwell and Rene Farrell.
Two of the best 💚 #ThunderNation pic.twitter.com/ajVnZlg7aM
— Sydney Thunder WBBL (@ThunderWBBL) December 1, 2019
Despite being out of finals contention, Thunder came out firing. Tight bowling in the power play restricted the big-hitting Renegades to 2/22 after the first six overs however dangerous duo Danni Wyatt (44) and Jess Duffin (53) fought back to help their side reach a strong total of 151.
The target proved too much for Thunder, who fell 29-runs short. Naomi Stalenberg (28) was the best with the bat however it was Sam Bates (3/21) who was Thunder’s best with three crucial wickets in the first innings.
HUGE 🙌 #ThunderNation #WBBL05 https://t.co/SIYDgdbRga
— Sydney Thunder WBBL (@ThunderWBBL) November 30, 2019
THE TEAMS
Coming off a strong win over the Melbourne Stars, Thunder named an unchanged side.
The Renegades made one change, with Sri Lankan star Chamari Athapaththu coming into the side for Tammy Beaumont who was recalled by England to prepare for the upcoming series against Pakistan.
Thunder: Rachael Haynes (C), Sam Bates, Alex Blackwell, Hannah Darlington, Rene Farrell, Lisa Griffith, Saskia Horley, Shabnim Ismail, Phoebe Litchfield, Rachel Priest, Naomi Stalenberg
Renegades: Jess Duffin (C), Chamari Athapaththu, Maitlan Brown, Josie Dooley, Anna Lanning, Sophie Molineux, Molly Strano, Lea Tahuhu, Georgia Wareham, Courtney Webb, Danni Wyatt
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
After the game, players and staff from the Melbourne Renegades, Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Stars joined Thunder to farewell Alex Blackwell and Rene Farrell.
A fitting send-off for two legends of the game.
— Sydney Thunder WBBL (@ThunderWBBL) December 1, 2019
All class @RenegadesWBBL @StarsBBL @HeatBBL 💚 #ThunderNation pic.twitter.com/6oHrOwPWgT
THE NEXT STOP
Thunder’s WBBL|05 campaign has ended but there’s plenty more Big Bash action to come this summer.
The Thunder Nation can look forward to BBL|09 which begins on 17 December with a huge clash between the Heat and Thunder at the Gabba.
BBL|09 TICKETS
Saturday 21 December 2019 | Vs Adelaide Strikers | Manuka Oval | 6.10pm
Thursday 2 January | Vs Melbourne Stars | Sydney Showground Stadium | 3.40PM
Monday 6 January | Vs Brisbane Heat | Sydney Showground Stadium | 7.10PM
Saturday 11 January | Vs Hobart Hurricanes | Sydney Showground Stadium | 6.10PM
15 January 2020 | Vs Melbourne Renegades | Manuka Oval | 6.10pm
Saturday 18 January | Vs Sydney Sixers | Sydney Showground Stadium | 7.10PM
Sunday 26 January | Vs Perth Scorchers | Sydney Showground Stadium | 2.45PM
