Nathan McAndrew registered a five-wicket haul as Sydney Thunder defeated Melbourne Stars by 21 runs in the Knockout of the 2024-25 Big Bash League at Sydney Showground Stadium on Wednesday, January 22. With this win, the Thunders have made it into two Qualifier 2 and will face Sydney Sixers on January 24. On the other hand, Melbourne Stars are out of the title race once again and have to wait for one more year to win their first BBL trophy.
Talking about the match, the overs were reduced to 19 overs per side after rain decided to play a spoilsport. Batting first Sydney Thunder posted 135/7 in their 19 overs with Oliver Davies top scoring with 36(35) runs. In reply, Melbourne Stars were bowled out for 114 runs in 18 overs as Nathan McAndrew registered match-winning figures of 4/16.
Sydney Thunder knock Melbourne Stars out of BBL 2024-25 title race
Batting first, Sydney Thunder lost the first wicket in the very first over as skipper David Warner went back for a two-ball duck. After that, Matthew Gikes scored 28(18) runs hitting three fours and a six. Sam Billing also got out after scoring a steady 24(25) runs hitting four boundaries while Oliver Davies top scored with 36(35) runs with two fours and a maximum. Nathan McAndrew and Tom Andrews also gave finishing touches with the scores of 9* and 13* respectively. For Melbourne Stars, Tom Curran and Usama Mir took two scalps each while skipper Marcus Stoinis, Peter Siddle and Doug Warren scalped a wicket each.
Chasing the winning target, Melbourne Stars kept losing wickets at regular intervals as Nathan McAndrew took charge of Sydney Thunder’s bowling. Glenn Maxwell top scored with 28(21) runs but none of the other batters could play a big knock as the Stars were bowled out with an over left in the match. McAndrew registered figures of 5/16 while bowling for Thunders. Apart from that, Tom Andrew and Tanveer Sangha scalped two wickets each while Chris Green put one in his bag. Sydney Thunder will now lock horns with Sydney Sixers in the second qualifier at Sydney Cricket Ground. The winning team will confirm their place in the final against Hobart Hurricanes at Ninja Stadium in Bellerive on January 27.
