CANBERRA: Daniel Sams played a 42-run cameo to lift Sydney Thunder past Adelaide Strikers in the third match of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2024 here at Manuka Oval on Tuesday.
Coming out to bat at No. 8, with the Thunder needing 55 runs off just 26 balls, Sams turned the tide in his team’s favor with belligerent batting.
The right-handed batsman hit four fours and three sixes on his way to an unbeaten 18-ball 42 and led the Thunder to a two-wicket win with two balls to spare.
Apart from Daniel Sams, young opener Sam Konstas made a significant contribution in the chase as he top-scored with a quickfire 56 off just 27 balls, studded with 10 boundaries, including two sixes.
For the Strikers, Henry Thornton and Jamie Overton bagged two wickets each, while Cameron Boyce, Matthew Short, Lloyd Pope and Fabian Allen contributed one wicket each.
Beaten first, the Strikers posted a formidable total of 182/8 on the board thanks to quick strikes from Jake Weatherald and James Bazley.
The opening batsman scored 40 off just 19 deliveries while Bazley scored 31 runs off just 12 balls.
Overton, however, remained the Strikers’ top scorer thanks to his anchoring strike in the middle. He made 45 off 35 deliveries, hitting one four and four sixes in the process.
New Zealand internationals Lockie Ferguson and Chris Green co-led the Thunder’s bowling attack with three wickets each, while Tanveer Sangha contributed two scalps.
The two-wicket victory helped Thunder secure third position in the BBL 2024 standings, closely following city rivals Sixers and Perth Scorchers respectively.
