Sydney Thunder has fallen to the Melbourne Stars by six wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, after struggling to post a competitive total with the bat.
20-year-old Matthew Gilkes (41) top-scored for Thunder while Usman Khawaja (33) and Callum Ferguson (35) made handy contributions, but it wasn't enough against the big-hitting Stars.
Led by skipper Glenn Maxwell (59*) and Marcus Stoinis (50), the Stars managed to chase down the target of 146 with six wickets in hand and 13 balls remaining.
THE TEAMS
Thunder made two changes, with Jonathan Cook and Nathan McAndrew coming into the side for Brendan Doggett and Chris Green, while the Stars welcomed Haris Rauf back into the side for Dale Steyn.
Thunder: Callum Ferguson (C), Jonathan Cook, Matthew Gilkes, Alex Hales, Usman Khawaja, Nathan McAndrew, Chris Morris, Arjun Nair, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Chris Tremain
All set for tonight's clash with the Stars π
— Sydney Thunder (@ThunderBBL) January 8, 2020
We lost the flip and will be batting first the MCG! Watch LIVE on @FoxCricket and @7Cricket from 7:10pm πΊ #ThunderNation pic.twitter.com/bIQXCKjhFL
Stars XI: Glenn Maxwell (C), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Peter Handscomb (WK), Clint Hinchliffe, Nick Larkin, Sandeep Lamichhane, Nic Maddinson, Haris Rauf, Marcus Stoinis, Daniel Worrall, Adam Zampa
We've won the bat flip and will bowl first against the @ThunderBBL. Here's our team for tonight's game. π
— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) January 8, 2020
#WeWillShine π pic.twitter.com/IGfJ004yAQ
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Matthew Gilkes.
The wicketkeeper-batsman top-scored for Thunder with 41 runs from 35 deliveries, including a massive six off the bowling of Haris Rauf.
The 20-year-old was also tidy behind the stumps, combining with South African import Chris Morris to complete the run out of Stars opener Nic Maddinson.
Morris and Gilkes combine to run out the dangerous opener! π #ThunderNation https://t.co/Jx5SkJuWBH
— Sydney Thunder (@ThunderBBL) January 8, 2020
THE NEXT STOP
Thunder are back in action Sydney Showground Stadium on Saturday 11 January (6:10pm start) against the Hobart Hurricanes. Tickets are on sale now, with kids from $5 and adults from $20. Secure your seat in advance to save on match day prices!
BBL|09 TICKETS
Saturday 11 January | Vs Hobart Hurricanes | Sydney Showground Stadium | 6.10PM
Wednesday 15 January | 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
