Sydney Thunder has fallen to the Perth Scorchers by eight wickets on a tough night at Optus Stadium.
Englishman Alex Hales smashed 85 runs from 59 deliveries however had little support as Thunder posted a total of 153.
Will it carry? YESSS!
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 20, 2020
Another 6️⃣ for Alex Hales, much to the dismay of Mitch Marsh #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/HkASwmCQnJ
The Scorchers proved too strong on home turf as openers Josh Inglis (58 from 41) and Liam Livingstone (78 from 49) set up the Perth side for a comfortable eight-wicket win with 27 balls to spare.
THE TEAMS
Thunder made one change with off-spinning all-rounder Arjun Nair coming into the side for fast bowler Nathan McAndrew, while the Scorchers made no changes after a loss to the Stars.
Thunder: Callum Ferguson (C), Liam Bowe, Brendan Doggett, Alex Hales, Usman Khawaja, Jay Lenton, Chris Morris, Arjun Nair, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Gurinder Sandhu
Final XI ✅ Captain Cal won the flip and we'll be batting first at Optus Stadium!
— Sydney Thunder (@ThunderBBL) January 20, 2020
LIVE on @FoxCricket + @7Cricket from 9:40pm AEDT 📺 #ThunderNation pic.twitter.com/OZbbC99f3f
Scorchers: Mitch Marsh (C), Fawad Ahmed, Cam Bancroft, Tim David, Cam Green, Josh Inglis, Chris Jordan, Matt Kelly, Liam Livingstone, Kurtis Patterson, Jhye Richardson
Meet our Final XI set to take on the Thunder tonight at #TheFurnace 🔥Let's do this! #MADETOUGH #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/wlGWzFJ8rx
— Perth Scorchers (@ScorchersBBL) January 20, 2020
PERFORMANCE OF THE MATCH
Alex Hales.
The big-hitting Englishman was the shining light for Thunder, smashing 85 runs from 59 deliveries, including 10 fours and three sixes.
That's a third #BBL09 5️⃣0️⃣ for Alex Hales! pic.twitter.com/q7BxZtCuuX
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 20, 2020
He has now overtaken skipper Callum Ferguson as the side's leading wicket-taker of the tournament, with 339 runs.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
The spirit of the team shone through on a tough night when Brendan Doggett dropped three catches.
Rossy made sure he got to Doggie. Class on a tough night. #ThunderNation pic.twitter.com/AallIwa7Ml
— Sydney Thunder (@ThunderBBL) January 20, 2020
When the ball came Doggett's way a fourth time, he held onto the catch and the whole team got around him.
THE DOG! GET AROUND HIM!
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 20, 2020
Three drops later, its' fourth time lucky for Brendan Doggett #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/sR3R5yl6gP
THE NEXT STOP
Thunder's road trip continues with the side travelling to Hobart before returning home to Sydney Showground Stadium to take on the Scorchers on Sunday (26 January, 2:45pm start). Tickets are on sale now, with kids from $5 and adults from $20!
BBL|09 TICKETS
Sunday 26 January | Vs Perth Scorchers | Sydney Showground Stadium | 2.45PM
