BBL 2017/18 33rd Match: Watson keeps the Thunder alive

Posted on by
Shane Watson 49 Sydney Thunder Melbourne Stars BBL cricket

Shane Watson struck five boundaries and two sixes during his unbeaten knock of 49

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Sydney Thunder captain Shane Watson smashed an unbeaten 49 and took a wicket as his side cruised to a seven-wicket win over the Melbourne Stars.

With their win, the Thunder still have a chance of making it to the playoffs as they moved up to fifth place on the standings. As for the Stars, they remain at the bottom of the table.

Being put in to bat first, the Stars got off to a brisk start before opener Ben Dunk was caught by Chris Green at mid-on off the bowling of Watson.

Kevin Pietersen also made 12 runs before he was caught behind off the bowling of Green, while Glenn Maxwell failed to have an impact with the bat as he was clean bowled by Fawad Ahmed for one run.

Peter Handscomb and Sebastian Gotch stemmed the flow of wickets with a 49-run partnership, during which Handscomb brought up his half-century.

However, he was unable to make the most of it as he was caught and bowled by Mitchell McClenaghan for 57, which came off 44 balls and included seven boundaries.

With Gotch going on to make 31 and Evan scoring a quickfire 13, the Stars finished on 147/6 off their 20 overs.

Green was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Watson, Fawad, McClenaghan and Gurinder Sandhu chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Chasing 148 to win, the Thunder got off to a fabulous start as Usman Khawaja and James Vince amassed an 85-run partnership before Khawaja was caught by Pietersen at short third man off the bowling of Liam Bowe for a 26-ball 44.

Vince went on to score 40 before he was stumped by Handscomb off the bowling of Bowe.

Even though Green fell shortly after, Watson guided the Thunder to victory with his unbeaten 49, which came off 28 balls and included five boundaries and two sixes.

Bowe was the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Stars skipper John Hastings claimed one.

Watson was named Man of the Match.

Leave a Reply