Sydney Thunder take out a classic at the SCG, beating the Sixers after a Super Over
Match Report:
ScorecardMatch Recap: Thunder defeat Sixers
Match in a tweet: The Thunder are still alive! But it took a countback for boundaries scored after a thrilling Super Over that left scores tied again
The score: Sydney Sixers 7-138 (Gardner 54) in 20 overs tied with Sydney Thunder 6-138 (Taylor 68) in 20 overs
The Super Over: Sydney Thunder 1-8 (Taylor 4no) beat the Sydney Sixers 3-8 (Healy 4) on a countback of boundaries.
The Result: Sydney Thunder were awarded the match as the rules of the tournament state that in the case the scores are tied after the Super Over, the team that has hit more boundaries during their regular innings will be the winner.
The hero: Stafanie Taylor was not going to mess around chasing the Sixers target of 139. The West Indies star sent the Sixers bowlers on a leather hunt at the SCG, hitting seven fours and two sixes in her innings of 68 from 51 balls. Taylor dispatched balls to and over the boundary ropes with a mixture of timing and brute power. Gifted with some gentle offerings on her pads, Taylor wasted no time by belting boundaries through her favoured leg-side. While Taylor had minimal impact during the Super Over, it was her brilliant innings that ensured the Thunder got across the line at the end.
The Super Over: Sixers Kim Garth bowled a sensational over restricting Taylor and Rachael Haynes to a mixture of singles and twos. When it came to the Sixers innings, it was full of chaos and drama. Needing nine to win, Alyssa Healy smashed the first ball down the ground to the boundary before running herself out off the next delivery. Ellyse Perry then managed to hit two of the next ball, before she hit one straight to long-on with four runs required. Angela Reakes ran herself out, the next ball trying to turn for two which left Gardner needing two off the final ball. The allrounder could only manage one as Farrell executed a perfect yorker to seal the win for the Thunder.
The controversy: Thunder skipper Alex Blackwell withdrew her run-out appeal because she felt that Sara McGlashan's attempt to get back into her crease was obstructed. Speaking to the Channel Ten commentators after the innings, McGlashan stated she would have had no option but to walk back to the dug out if Blackwell went ahead with the appeal.
The consolation act: Ashleigh Gardner once again showed why she is one of the emerging superstars in the game. Despite the Sixers losing Perry and Healy early in the innings, Gardner backed her natural instincts against the Thunder attack. The ploy proved extremely successful as Gardner dispatched Taylor and Erin Osborne over their heads to give the Sixers innings the much needed boost through the middle overs. The two big hits set the scene for Gardner as she went on to bludgeon 54 from 41 including three fours and three towering sixes.
The next stop: The Sixers will now host the Renegades in six days’ time at North Sydney Oval, while the Thunder head south to confront the Hurricanes in Hobart on 16th January.