Big Bash League 2021-22, Match 10, Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars Highlights: Melbourne Stars Beat Sydney Thunder By 6 Wickets
Big Bash League 2021-22, THU vs STA: Andre Russell played a brilliant knock of 42 unbeaten runs as he guided Melbourne Stars to a six-wicket victory against Sydney Thunder on Sunday.
Big Bash League 2021-22, Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars Highlights​: Andre Russell played a brilliant knock of 42 unbeaten runs as he guided Melbourne Stars to a six-wicket victory against Sydney Thunder on Sunday. Chasing a target of 152 runs, Stars maintained a healthy run-rate and won the match with 17 balls to spare. Tanveer Sangha claimed two wickets for 20 runs but didn't get the support from other bowlers to restrict the opposition batting line-up. Sangha struck twice in consecutive balls to bring Sydney Thunder back in the game after a 59-run partnership between Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis for the third wicket. Sanga removed both Maxwell and Stonis in one over. Earlier  after being put on to bat first, Thunder put up 151/5 in 20 overs with top-class innings from Alex Ross (77*). Thunder will be keen to avenge their narrow 4-run defeat in Match 7, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) earlier this week, to Stars. Hosts Sydney Thunder will hope that their star batter Alex Hales can finally find form after a poor outing in the first two games. Stars, on the other hand, will hope that their star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell can put on an all-round masterclass against the Thunder. Both teams come into this fixture after one win and a defeat each.
Alex Hales
Glenn Maxwell
Adam Zampa
Andre Russell
BBL: Thunder vs Stars Live
We are back for the chase! Marcus Stoinis and Joe Clarke stride out to bat. Chris Green leads his team out on the field. Daniel Sams has been given the new ball. Here we go...
... THE RUN CHASE ...
Now, 152 is not a big target and Stars have a power-packed batting lineup. The wicket is also a decent one, yes, there are a few deliveries that are holding but overall a good one. Thunder, on the other hand, have a really good bowling attack but they will need early wickets. Can they get it?
Except for the first and the last two overs, the Stars will be very pleased with their effort. Qais Ahmad and Brody Couch were really good. Nathan Coulter-Nile also did decently. Russell, baring his last over was impressive. Zampa was a touch off color tonight. Overall though, they have done a good job after electing to bowl.
Sydney Thunder though struggled for the most part of their innings! They began brilliantly but struggled big time against the spinners of the Stars. The top order once again fell cheaply and Billings and Ross struggled against the pacers in the middle overs. At one stage it seemed like 130 is the most Thunder can get but Ross along with Sams really upped the ante towards the end and have taken past 150 which is still under par but defendable. Alex Ross was the mainstay with a superb knock of 77 runs.
We witnessed absolute carnage in the last two overs! 34 runs in the last two overs have seen Thunder get back into the game. They surely have something to bowl at and they have Ross to thank for it, what an innings from him. Absolutely brilliant!
Short ball, on leg. Pulled away to deep square leg for a couple. Sydney Thunder end at 151 for 5!
Ben Cutting walks out. But he will not face the last delivery.
OUT! TAKEN! A good comeback by Couch after going for a maximum early in the over! He bowls it short and cramps Sams for room. He looks to pull but doesn't middle it. Qais Ahmad runs to his left from deep backward square leg and takes it.
Length ball, on leg. Ross looks to pull it away but gets the toe end towards the keeper. They sneak in a run.
Slower and shorter, on middle. Ross misses the pull.
SIX! High and handsome! Length ball, on off. Ross clears the front leg and sends the ball sailing straight down the ground for a maximum.
Short of a length, on middle. Ross gets the inside edge while looking to pull. It is running away to the fine leg fence but Russell runs to his right and slides to stop it. Two runs.
Brody Couch will bowl the final over.
Full and on the pads. Sams looks to flick but gets hit on the pads. A massive over as Thunder get 23 from it.
A single as this is pulled away to deep mid-wicket.
FOUR! A boundary now! Andre Russell is taking a big beating here! Full ball, outside off. Ross drills it past the diving mid off fielder for a boundary.
SIX! And again! Ross is turning up the heat now! He gets a nice short ball, on the body and he pulls it way over the square leg fence. This is turning out to be massive over for Thunder.
SIX! Boy, oh boy! This is even bigger! Andre Russell serves a length ball, on off. Ross clears his front leg and sends the ball sailing over the long on fence.
SIX! Ross gets hold of it this time! Slower ball, on a length, on leg. He backs away to the leg side and slogs it over the mid-wicket fence.