Sydney Thunders eliminated Melbourne Stars from the Big Bash League (BBL) 2024-25 after a 21-run victory in the Knockout game played at the Sydney Showground Stadium, Sydney on Wednesday. (More Cricket News)
The win sets up a cross-town derby between Sydney Thunder and 💜Sydney Sixers in the Challenger, the winner of whom will face Hobart Hurricanes in the final.
Melbourne Stars captain Marcus Stoinis had chosen to field first after winning the toss. Below are the 𝄹Playing XI༺s of both the sides for the match.
Sydney Thunder Vs Melbourne Stars Knockout: Playing XIs
Melbourne Stars (Playing XI): Sam Harpℱer(w), Thomas Fraser Rogers, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis(c), Glenn Maxwell, Hilton Cartwright, Tom Curran, Usama Mir, Mark Steketee, Doug Warren, Peter Siddle
Sydney Thunder (Playing XI): David Warner(c), Hugh Weibgen, ﷽Matthew Gilkes, Sam Billings(w), Oliver Davies, Chris Green, G⛄eorge Garton, Nathan McAndrew, Tom Andrews, Wes Agar, Tanveer Sangha
Bowling first, Stars had a great start as they got rid of Thunder's best batter and captain David Warner on the second ball of the innings for a Duck. Lightning disrupted the game and forced the match to be re🦹duced to 19 overs.
Matthew Gikes (28), Sam Billings (24) and Olliver Davies (36) all scored some runs but the conditions were tough for batting and no one could score boundaries at will. Stars bowling was on the money as well with most bowlers returning with economical figures. Usama Mir a๊nd Tom Curran picked up two wickets each and Thunder were restricted to 135/7 in 19 overs.
The target of 136 looked below par before Thunder's new ball burst left Stars tot🐷tering at 2🐻7/3 in just 4.5 overs. Nathan McAndrew dismissed both Star openers while Tom Andrews got the wicket of a returning Peter Handscomb.
Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis then aimed to stabilise things but the pitch was too slow and the Thunder spinnersಞ bowled well. Once Maxwell and Stoinis fell within a period of six balls, Stars hopes were over. McAndrew returned to complete his five-wicket haul and Stars were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs.
Sydney Thunder Vs Melbourne Stars Knockout: Live Streaming
Big Bash League 2024-25 is available on the Star Sports Network in Indi🎐a. The BBL 14 matches are live-streamed on the Disney+ Hotstar app.
