Sydney Thunder complete historic clean sweep of Sydney Sixers
The Sydney Thunder are on the verge of an historic Big Bash League semi-final appearance after beating cross-town rivals the Sixers for the second time this season.
The 46-run victory in front of a crowd of 38,456 – a new record for a game of domestic cricket in New South Wales – saw Thunder leap into third spot on the ladder.
It was their final regular season match and now they are sweating on the results of games involving the two Melbourne sides to determine if the Thunder will be part of the post-season action for the first time in their BBL history.
The Melbourne Renegades host the Adelaide Strikers in the final match of the regular season on Monday night
Thunder became the first team to post 200 in BBL05 with their brilliant total of 5-202 set-up by man-of-the match Shane Watson (66 off 40 balls), Andre Russell (46 off 20 balls), captain Mike Hussey (41 off 29 balls) and Ben Rohrer (14 not out off seven balls).
It’s only the second time in the Thunder’s history that they’ve posted a total of 200.
It was Hussey’s last appearance at the SCG and he received a standing ovation from the crowd after he was dismissed.
The Sixers needed to chase down the target of 203 in 16 overs and one ball to keep themselves in contention to snatch fourth spot on the ladder.
While they lost regular wickets, captain Nic Maddinson kept his side on pace with the run rate with his best innings of BBL05.
He smashed 70 from 40 balls with five sixes and four boundaries. But when he departed, one of Fawad Ahmed’s three wickets, the Sixers hopes were all but dashed.
Paceman Clint McKay was the best of the Thunder bowlers claiming 3-16 (2.3 overs). He took the last wicket of Doug Bollinger which was his 100th in Twenty20 cricket.
Spinner Chris Green claimed 3-29 (4 overs) while Ahmed finished with 3-39 (4).