Eyeing to cement a spot in the Big Bash league main event, the Sydney Thunder decided to field first in the Knockout clash. Nathan McAndrew and Wes Agar gave a nice start with the ball after removing their openers before Josh Philippe and Moises Henriques added 31 runs together in their tally of 50 runs in eight overs. Right after, the wicketkeeper-batter fell prey to an unlucky run-out at the non-striker’s end followed by Tom Andrews getting Henriques and Lachlan Shaw in the 13th over. With the Sixers under scrutiny with the score reading 76/5, Jordan Silk and Ben Dwarshuis mixed caution with aggression and capitalised on the power surge between 15-17th over. The pair consolidated 56 runs for the sixth wicket including 20 off the floating powerplay before George Garton outsmarted Dwarshuis for 30. Silk’s 30-ball 43 and the tailender managed to propel the Sixers to 152 in 20 overs.
Unlike their counterparts, the Thunder openers got off to a flying start as David Warner complemented returnee Jason Sangha to gather 25 runs in a couple of overs. However, Warner was outnumbered in the next over with the Thunder fetching 35 in four overs. Matthew Gilkes joined Jason in the middle, adding 46 runs together before the latter fell in the eighth over. Gilkes followed him in the next over, sparking a new runout controversy. The Thunder gathered 79 runs halfway through the innings but kept losing wickets in regular intervals. With 129/5 in 17 overs and set-batter Billings at one end, they opted for Power Surge but lost a wicket in the 18th over. They needed 18 from 13 when Sam Billings smashed Hayden Kerr over deep mid wicket for a 91-metre biggie. With a run-a-ball required, Dwarshuis conceded a couple of fours halfway through the over, to only see McAndrew finish it off with seven balls left.
That was some shot!!!
SAM BILLINGS!
That is a HUGE, clutch six. #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/od4DDgx2A6— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 24, 2025
Yeah it is!
Streak broken!
The moment the @ThunderBBL beat the Sixers to make the #BBL14 Final 🙌 pic.twitter.com/o513OQJKiZ— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 24, 2025
That was so close!
If he hit…
Sam Billings was out here. #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/DDzSao3vPp— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 24, 2025
Agreed!
Super shot 👏
That’s all class from Sam Billings. #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/2Q2OKz7ZtD— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 24, 2025
That’s it!!!!
Bowled him!
This Sydney Smash ain’t over yet. #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/NuJ0USW8A3— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 24, 2025
Hahaha! Yeah!
Big call, that.
Matthew Gilkes was given out by third umpire after this incident at the SCG. #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/YTb0886Wn9— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 24, 2025
Ohhhhhh!!!!
Look away now, Sixers fans.
Lachlan Shaw drops Matthew Gilkes in a big moment at the SCG… #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/Azlq833KU6— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 24, 2025
He is what he is!!
DAVID WARNER FIRST BALL 🤯#BBL14 pic.twitter.com/M8QELCv5oa
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 24, 2025
Dayummm!!!
This ball went SO high, but somehow Hugh Weibgen held the catch! @BKTtires #GoldenMoment #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/IhWecoE2da
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 24, 2025
Ummm!
🚨 George Garton SCREAMER 🚨
That is another unreal take! #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/CQ3Dwkya0Q— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 24, 2025
