Sydney Thunder Defeated 156 for 4 (Warner 86*; Richardson 1-24) Melbourne Renegades 148 for 8 (Evans 40; Agar 4-32, Sams 2-26)
David Warner His highest BBL score in 13 years to lead Sydney Thunder to a drought-breaking eight-run win over Melbourne Renegades on Monday.
Short of runs to start the tournament, Warner returned to form with an unbeaten 86 off 57 balls to take the Thunder to 156 for 4. Wes Agar They then claimed 4 for 32 to restrict the Renegades to 148 for 8, as the Thunder claimed their first win in 734 days at the NG Stadium on their home turf.
The result moved the Thunder into second place BBL table Behind cross-town rivals the Sydney Sixers, the Renegades dropped to third place with a 2-2 record.
Despite the Renegades’ loss Will Sutherland Stopping what could have been the catch of the summer to dismiss Sam Billings (10), which turned out to be a pivotal moment in the game. Fielded at mid-on, Sutherland runs five meters to his right and lunges towards the boundary to claim a hanger with one hand. What made the catch even more impressive was that Billings hit the ball hard and flat, leaving Sutherland little time to react.
Billings’ departure left the Thunder 87 for 4 in the 14th over and struggling to post a competitive score.
But then Warner took over.
After scoring 43 off 38 balls when Billings got out, Warner became more inventive and powerful as he scored his next 43 off 19 balls. His best shot came when he went to reverse-sweep Adam Zampa, realized the ball was too short, and then settled on his feet instead of switch-hitting it for a six.
Another maximum came in the next over when he quickly scooped Fergus O’Neill, before switch-hitting his next ball for four.
Warner scored his maiden BBL century in the second match played in the competition in 2011–12. He played just three matches in the first ten seasons, but Monday’s score was his highest since returning to the BBL in 2023.
While Warner took control of the Thunder innings to give them a 3-1 record to start the season, no one could do the same for the Stars. Josh Brown was dropped twice before falling for 22, while fellow opener Jack Fraser-McGurk tackled 27 balls for his 26 before sending Chris Green back.
After that, Agar broke the batting back of the Renegades by removing Mackenzie Harvey and Sutherland in consecutive balls. and when Laurie Evans Giving the Renegades some hope late on, Agar caught him for 40 to effectively kill the chase late in the 18th over.
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