SCO VS THU MATCH 22

Right then, that will be it from this contest. We hope you enjoyed the coverage. Do join tomorrow for Match 23 in the BBL 2024-25 for the Melbourne Derby where the Stars will take on the Renegades at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne. That game will start at 1:45 pm IST (8.15 am GMT). But as you know, you can always join early for all the build-up. Until then, take care, and cheers!

Sherfane Rutherford is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his match-winning knock of 39 runs off 19 balls. He says he was a bit nervous despite finding himself in such situations a lot of times. Mentions that they did swell to silence the crowd for most of the game. Closes by saying he is loving the atmosphere around the camp and David Warner is one of those leaders who brings a certain optimism among the players.

Earlier in the game, Perth got off to a flying start in the game, posting a competitive total of 177 runs while batting first. The innings were anchored by a scintillating half-century from Finn Allen, who set the tone for the Perth batsmen. However, it was Cooper Connolly who stole the show with a brilliant unbeaten cameo of 43 runs. The Thunder, meanwhile, were forced to adjust their bowling lineup after Daniel Sams' injury, with Rutherford being called upon to bowl an over. Unfortunately for the Thunder, this proved to be a costly move, as the Perth batters took Rutherford to the cleaners, scoring 22 runs off his over. Chris Green was the pick of the Thunder bowlers, claiming three wickets with his lethal spin. Tom Andrews also chipped in with a wicket, but it was Green's efforts that stood out.

The Perth bowlers oscillated between impressive and inconsistent. They began strongly but lost their momentum in the middle overs, allowing the Thunder to regain control. Just when it seemed like the game was slipping away, the Perth bowlers staged a comeback with wickets in a jiffy that applied pressure on the Thunder batters. Despite this valiant effort, they ultimately fell short, failing to defend 25 runs in the last two overs. Lance Morris was the standout performer, claiming three wickets, while Jason Behrendorff, Andrew Tye, and Cooper Connolly chipped in with one wicket each.

The Thunder's chase of 177 got off to a rocky start, with Blake Nikitaras falling early on. However, David Warner and Matthew Gilkes steadied the ship, forging a solid 88-run partnership that seemed to put the Thunder on course for a comfortable victory. But, just as it appeared that the Thunder were cruising, the Perth bowling unit struck, triggering a middle-order collapse that left the Thunder reeling. Wickets tumbled in quick succession, and the Thunder's innings imploded, leaving them scrambling for answers. It then took a match-winning cameo from Sherfane Rutherford right at the end to hit a boundary off the final ball of the game and remain not out at 39 off just 19 balls to see his side home.

What a game of cricket we have seen here in Perth. Sydney Thunder has done what most teams fail to do and that is to chase against Perth Scorchers. Sydney Thunder have won this by 4 wickets.

FOUR! INTO THE GAP AND IT SAILS TO THE FENCE FOR FOUR! Sherfane Rutherford has done it for Sydney Thunder. On a length around leg, Sherfane Rutherford looks for the flick but gets it off the inside edge and the ball rolls past Nick Hobson at short fine leg and thumps into the fence towards deep backward square. Sydney Thunder wins this by 4 wickets.

TWO LEG BYES! Yorker-length delivery, down the leg. Sherfane Rutherford looks to flick it but misses. The ball brushes his pad and the keeper fails to glove the ball. The fielder at the fine leg does well to cover it up. A couple taken in between!

FOUR! Up and over! Andrew Tye bowls it fuller, just outside off. Sherfane Rutherford plants his front foot towards the delivery and uses his bottom hand to loft the delivery over mid off fielder and gets a much needed boundary.

On a length, outside off. Sherfane Rutherford makes a leave. Can you believe it? Sherfane Rutherford has left one outside off, thinking the umpire would stretch his arms with 9 needed of 3.

FOUR! Perth pays the price for exceeding time in the innings ticker. Full toss outside off, Sherfane Rutherford swings for all money, gets an outside edge and the ball flies past the short third fielder for four.

Fuller delivery, on leg. Sherfane Rutherford flicks it. The ball flies towards the right of the short fine leg fielder. The fielder dives but the ball burst through his hands. A couple of runs taken in between

We have a game on our hands folks. Salt to the injury as Perth has been penalized for falling behind in the innings timer. They will now be allowed only 4 fielders outside the 30-yard circle. 15 needed off the final 6.

SIX! THIS IS HUGE! Fuller on leg and middle. Hugh Weibgen hangs back, waits for the delivery and slogs the delivery with one of the finest timing he ever played in his career. The ball flies over to deep mid-wicker fence and gets a biggie.

Short and just outside off. Hugh Weibgen drops his blade and decides to make a leave.

Bangs a short one, on off, shaping it away from the right-hander. Hugh Weibgen skips down the track and looks to swat it but nicked the outer edge. The ball loops towards deep backward point region and the batters gets a single.

Full-length delivery, wide outside off. Sherfane Rutherford pokes it towards point and gets a single.