New Delhi: England wicketkeeper-batter Sam Billings played a determined knock to anchor the moderate chase for Sydney Thunder in their four-wicket victory over city rivals Sydney Sixers in the Challenger match of the Big Bash League 2024-25.
After being set a modest target of 152 to chase, Billings remained unbeaten on 42 from 29 balls at a strike rate of 144.82, clubbing two boundaries and two sixes. There were other cameos from Jason Sangha (30 runs off 19 balls) and Matthew Gilkes (26 runs off 22 balls) as the Thunder crossed the finish line with seven balls and four wickets to spare.
Sydney Thunder skipper David Warner was dismissed for 11 runs from nine balls, adding woes to his recent string of low scores. Sangha and Gilkes added 36 runs for the third wicket to build the chase around before the former departed in the eighth over.
Billings build 28-run partnerships each with Hugh Weibgen (for fourth wicket) and Chris Green (for fifth wicket) to get the chase under control, though the English batter narrowly escaped a run-out opportunity. Nathan McAndrew smashed 19 runs from seven balls, hammering two boundaries to provide the finishing touches.
Earlier in the match, Sydney Sixers, who have lifted the BBL title three times, saw a shaky start to their innings with the early departure of Jack Edwards and Kurtis Patterson in the first four overs. It followed with the run out of Joshua Phillipe on 16. Captain Moises Henriques (29) and Jordan Silk (43) provided the impetus in the middle overs before Ben Dwarshuis hit 30 off 20 balls in a late charge.
Tom Andrews (2 for 15) and Wes Agar (2 for 25) shared a couple of dismissals each to strike in regular intervals and break the rhythm of the three-time BBL champions in the knockout game. Sydney Thunder has made it to their first BBL final since the team last won the tournament in the 2015-16 edition under the captaincy of Michael Hussey.
Thunder will face Hobart Hurricanes in the final on Sunday (January 26) at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart.
Sam Billings’ unbeaten 42 propelled Sydney Thunder to a four-wicket victory over Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League Challenger. Chasing a modest 152, Billings anchored the innings, supported by contributions from Jason Sangha and Matthew Gilkes. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
