Sydney Thunder has secured a four-run victory over cross-town rivals the Sixers in front of more than 15,000 fans at Sydney Showground Stadium.
Player of the Match Chris Morris led a brilliant first innings effort in the field to restrict the Sixers to 76.
The South African superstar claimed 2/12 with ball, as well as completing one catch and a clever run out.
Goodness gracious 😱
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 18, 2020
Elite footwork from Chris Morris. Not ideal running from Dan Hughes and Josh Philippe... #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/k0cD7ARqh1
Daniel Sams extended his lead as the wearer of the BKT Golden Arm cap by taking a further three wickets to take his season's tally to 20.
5-15 😳#BBL09 pic.twitter.com/qfHq88cU7z
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 18, 2020
Chasing a DLS-adjusted target of 75 to win from a rain-reduced 16 overs, Thunder were 2/28 when rain stopped play, for the third time, after 5.3 overs.
Game over. The umpires have called off the remainder of play at the Sydney Showgrounds, due to rain #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/SvqlfarlZt
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 18, 2020
THE TEAMS
Thunder made one change with fast bowler Gurinder Sandhu coming into the side for leg-spinner Jonathan Cook, while the Sixers welcomed Aussie star Nathan Lyon back in place of Ben Manenti.
Thunder: Callum Ferguson (C), Liam Bowe, Brendan Doggett, Alex Hales, Usman Khawaja, Jay Lenton, Nathan McAndrew, Chris Morris, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Gurinder Sandhu
Captain Cal won the flip and we'll be bowling first at Sydney Showground Stadium tonight! 💪 #ThunderNation pic.twitter.com/4IyVhEev8y
— Sydney Thunder (@ThunderBBL) January 18, 2020
Sixers: Moises Henriques (C), Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Tom Curran, Ben Dwarshuis, Daniel Hughes, Nathan Lyon, Steve O'Keefe, Josh Philippe, Jordan Silk, James Vince
🙌 The 🐐 is back for the Sydney Smash against @ThunderBBL #BBL09
— Sydney Sixers (@SixersBBL) January 18, 2020
Full XI to follow soon!#smashemsixers pic.twitter.com/zVnOI1Tq4B
PERFORMANCE OF THE MATCH
Chris Morris was instrumental in the first innings. The South African superstar claimed 2/12 from his 3.5 overs, took one catch and completed a clever run-out to help restrict the Sixers to a total of 76.
Chris Morris couldn't believe this didn't hit anything! #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/SZs9ZnoCfv
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 18, 2020
THE NEXT STOP
Thunder hit the road this week, travelling to Perth and Hobart before returning home to Sydney Showground Stadium next weekend to take on the Scorchers (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
