THU VS SIX MATCH 8

Wow! That really ends a fine Super Saturday. First, Hobart Hurricanes and Perth Scorchers played out, well, we can still call it a close game while the Sydney Smash was a toast for the weekend. That's all we have for today. Coming up next on the BBL, is Brisbane Heat taking on Adelaide Strikers at the 'Gabba, on Sunday, 22nd December, 2024. If Heat win, they will definitely top the table while if the Strikers win, they might still see Sixers atop. Also, given the amount of rain we have had over the last week or so at the 'Gabba, how will Sunday hold up? All this and much more - you will definitely find in our preview while our build up will begin way before 8.15 am GMT (1345 IST). In the meantime, you can also catch action from the ODI series between India Women and West Indies Women and also, the ODI series between South Africa and Pakistan. Enjoy. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Sydney Sixers' BEN DWARSHUIS IS THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his all-round display of 2/26 and an unbeaten 20 (8). He says that as a player you play for these moments and as moments go, this was a big one for himself and Jordan Silk. He then credits Chris Green for the way he bowled that final over but is thankful that they got over the line. Adds that he just tried to stand still and swing hard at the ball. Mentions that he was a bit disappointed with his first 2 overs, so, it was nice to bounce back in the Power Surge, which is an area they want to improve on.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Earlier in the day, Sydney Sixers came back after a poor first 10 overs, restricting the Thunder to 163. It was still a decent score, but to concede just 57/3 in the last 8 overs was phenomenal. Akeal Hosein, Ben Dwarshuis and Jack Edwards were at the centre of that choke. For Sydney Thunder, only two batters played well - Cameron Bancroft unbeaten on 70, while Oliver Davies made 47. However, once Davies fell, the runs stopped coming. 70 does look good against Bancroft but one now feels that had he accelerated a bit more in those death overs, 163 could have become 180. Please stay tuned for the post-match presentation...

Decent bowling effort from Sydney Thunder but they will be disappointed with their fielding. They dropped as many as 4 catches that hurt them badly. Chris Green was the one bowler who went for plenty, albeit he did well in that last over, barring one ball. Lockie Ferguson was fast, Nathan McAndrew was accurate while Daniel Sams created opportunities - but they would have liked more wickets.

However, the Thunder were being rewarded for their discipline. Eventually, the Sixers started to lose patience and kept throwing their wickets away. However, towards the end, Ben Dwarshuis' cameo of 20 (8) which included a first-ball six off Lockie Ferguson and a penultimate-ball six off Chris Green helped the Magenta team cross the line. It was a rare game where threre were plenty of starts for the Sixers - none making it big - but almost everyone contibuting in the top 5 - and that made the difference.

163 was supposed to be an above-par score and Sydney Thunder definitely made it look that way, with their bowling. They were not able to pick up early wickets as such but they did not let the game slip away either. Thunder focussed on maintaining tight lines while the Sixers focussed on building partnerships. Neither side was giving an inch. Disciplined bowling gave the Thunder regular breakthroughs, but it was not in clusters. First, Josh Philippe at the top and later, Jordan Silk at the end, ensured that partnerships were brewing and there was no collapse.

Wow. Can't help but go back to that first ball of the 20th over. Should Jordan Silk have taken the second? But he trusted Ben Dwarshuis after his big six against Lockie Ferguson on the very first ball and it was Dwarshuis' six on the penultimate ball which got victory right on the doorstep! Also, those two wide calls from the umpire in that final over. There might be a talk for some time from both camps regarding the same. The first was definitely a wide but the second one - ooohh - touch and go. 10 needed from 3 became 8 from 3 and the equation and the complexion changed.

Phew. For the time being, forget the result. Wherever you are, please stand up and applaud the teams. 240 legal balls, 327 runs and 10 wickets. Thunder made 163/5 while Sixers made 164/5, with both being separated by a wafer-thin margin! What a great game of cricket. Take a bow, players. Thank you for such entertainment.

Sydney Sixers has won this game on the last ball! Drags his length this time, quick, around middle, Ben Dwarshuis clips it wide of square leg, cautiously under pressure and runs off for a quick single. SYDNEY SIXERS WIN BY 5 WICKETS with many ups and downs!

Hoo hoo! 1 needed from 1 ball. Do we have a Super Over in store? As early as game number 8? Warner, Billings and Green have a chat. Tension in both camps. Watch out for a run out.

SIX! OMG! Ben Dwarshuis has hit the giant six of the night under pressure! A low full toss from around the wicket, on middle, Ben Dwarshuis waits it and slogs it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. Scores are on level and they just need a single to win this off!

This time he connects it! Again a quick flatter full fall, wide outside off, Jordan Silk gets a thick outside edge to short third man for a quick single as he looks to go over the cover.

WIDE! Again a wide has been called and this time, Thunders players aren't happy at all! A yorker, wide outside off, just outside the line, Jordan Silk moves across to reach out on the ball but fails to do so.

WIDE! Under pressure, Green has gone over the line! A quick flat ball, wide outside off, Jordan Silk doesn't offer any shot at it as the Umpire has called it a Wide.

Yorker, around off, Ben can only squeeze it through point for a single. The crowd loves it. 10 needed from 3 balls!

Landed outside off, carved over cover, to the other side of the fielder, to his left, for another couple. 11 needed from 4 deliveries now.

Big call from Silk. Full and wide outside off, Ben Dwarshuis throws his bat at it and slices the ball over point. One would have thought Silk would keep the strike but he is happy to respond to Dwarshuis' call to take the second. 150 UP FOR SYDNEY SIXERS. 13 more needed from 5 balls.