Challenger, Sydney, January 24, 2025, 01:45 PM
Sydney Sixers
151/7(20.0ov)
Sydney Thunder
157/6(18.5ov)
Sydney Thunder beat Sydney Sixers by 4 wickets
Win Projections to be updated soon
Right then, that will be it from this nail-biting contest. We hope you enjoyed the coverage from the Challenger. Do join in for the GRAND FINAL of the Big Bash League 2024/25 where the Hobart Hurricanes will take on the Sydney Thunder on Monday, the 27th of January from the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. That game will start at 1.45 pm IST (8.15 am GMT). But as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up. Until then, take care, and cheers!
SAM BILLINGS IS THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH FOR HIS CLUTCH KNOCK. He says that they didn't play a perfect game and they are saving it for the finals. Adds that the previous games they played were in different conditions so they had to adapt quickly. Shares that David Warner has been an excellent captain and it was a team effort. Ends by saying that they are looking forward to the Finals.
The Sydney Sixers did not have a huge score to defend but they put the Thunder under pressure with the early wicket of David Warner. Post that, they leaked a few runs and allowed the visitors to get an easy start. The Sixers did pick wickets at regular intervals but Billings batted smartly and got his side home with seven balls to spare that knocked out Sydney Sixers of this year's BBL. Earlier today, the Sixers batted first and posted a fighting score of 151/7 on the back of runs from Jordan Silk while Moises Henriques and Ben Dwarshuis made handy scores through the middle. They scored 58 runs in the last five overs as the home side struggled early, losing key wickets but recovered well. Wes Agar and Tom Andrews were the standout bowlers for the Thunder with Chris Green and Tanveer Sangha also bowling tidy spells for the visitors. Sydney Thunder will be delighted to make the Final while the Sydney Sixers should be proud of their season as they finished in the top two.
Phew! What a nail-biting finish to the Challenger where the Sydney Thunder prevail over the Sydney Sixers to make their second Final appearance in the tournament's history. Chasing a middling score of 152 for the win, the Thunder lost their skipper early but Jason Sangha and Matthew Gilkes stuck some fine shots and took advantage of the field restrictions in the powerplay. Both batters got dismissed in the space of a few balls post which Sam Billings took responsibility and formed strong partnerships with Hugh Weibgen, Chris Green, and Nathan McAndrew. Nathan McAndrew stuck a few lusty blows and hit the winning runs while Billings with an unbeaten 42 off 29 balls remained calm to steer his side home.
In over# 19
6
2
1wd
4
0
4
Ben Dwarshuis 40/0(2.5)
18.5
6
SIX! NATHAN MCANDREW TAKES THE SYDNEY THUNDER INTO THE FINAL. This was full and in the slot on off. Nathan McAndrew clears the front leg and thumps it over the long-off boundary for a maximum to finish the game with seven balls to spare. Sydney Thunder win by 6 wickets and the Sydney Sixers are knocked out of the competition.
18.4
2
In the air but safe! On a length, around off. Nathan McAndrew makes room and lofts this toward extra cover for a couple. Just a single needed now.
18.4
1wd
WIDE! Loses his radar and bowls it down the leg. Nathan McAndrew tucks and misses. Wide signaled by the umpire.
18.3
4
FOUR! SMASHED! Back of a length delivery outside off. Nathan McAndrew stands tall and slaps this over mid-off for a telling blow. The visitors are just a hit away now from a famous win.
18.2
.
Back of a length angling away. Nathan McAndrew swings and misses.
18.1
4
FOUR! Nicely done! Good length ball, on the middle and leg. Nathan McAndrew swivel-pulls this off the bottom edge and it runs through backward square leg and races to the boundary. 8 needed off 11.
Ben Dwarshuis (2-0-23-0) is back into the attack with the Thunder needing 12 off 12 balls.
In over# 18
6
3
0
0W
1
1
Hayden Kerr 35/2(4)
17.6
6
SIX! Sam Billings, You Beauty! He has belted this into the stands for a 91m hit. This was on a length, on the middle and leg. Sam Billings picks it early and smokes it over deep mid-wicket for half a dozen. 12 needed off the last two overs.
17.5
3
Up and Over! Pitched full on off. Nathan McAndrew swings hard and lofts this over the bowler, down the ground. Moises Henriques gives the chase, puts the slide, and saves it just inside the boundary. Triple taken.
17.4
.
Nathan McAndrew skips down, makes room, and hacks the length ball toward the short mid-wicket. Jordan Silk collects it and has a shy at the stumps. Billings was backing up too far and a direct hit from Silk would have been curtains for him.
OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! Hayden Kerr gives a send-off to George Garton. Lands it on a length, on the middle and leg. Garton swings across the line and misses. The stumps are rattled and the Sixers aren't giving up without a fight. Garton departs cheaply. The Thunder are six down.
17.3
W
OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! Hayden Kerr gives a send-off to George Garton. Lands it on a length, on the middle and leg. Garton swings across the line and misses. The stumps are rattled and the Sixers aren't giving up without a fight. Garton departs cheaply. The Thunder are six down.
17.2
1
Slower and shorter on the middle. Sam Billings pulls this through square leg for one.
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