A BRUTAL display of death batting has seen Daniel Sams strike the Sydney Thunder to a remarkable win over Adelaide. With his side needing 34 off the final two overs to chase 183, the allrounder took Lloyd Pope for 31 in the 19th, and hit the winning runs thereafter to leave the Manuka Oval crowd in raptures.

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It was a history-making night for the Thunder, who pulled off their highest ever run chase. Sams’ exploits also overshadowed the performance of emerging star Sam Konstas, who became the youngest player to notch a Big Bash half-century. It was also the quickest 50 in Thunder history, coming off just 20 balls.

Konstas’ impressive 360-degree strokeplay saw Sydney post 1-52 in the Power Play overs, with 46 of those runs to his name. He kicked things off in an opening partnership which resembled the former and next generation of Australian cricket, finding the boundary quickly alongside new skipper David Warner.

Their stand lasted just nine deliveries before Warner (seven off five) skied one off the arm of Henry Thornton (2-34). Konstas was undone by Strikers import Fabian Allen (1-10), who later injured his hamstring in a sliding effort on the straight boundary. He played no further part in the match.

His substitute, D’Arcy Short chimed in with important catches to help remove Oliver Davies (23 off 19) and Sam Billings (29 off 26), who to that point rebuilt the innings. Sydney entered the Power Surge with Chris Green and Sams having faced a combined three balls, still needing 53 off 24.

The Strikers executed brilliantly to strangle the Thunder and remove Green, which put the ledger well and truly in their favour. No one told that to Sams, who survived an inconclusive review for caught behind before producing one of the competition’s greatest ever death hitting displays.

Earlier, the Strikers were sent in to bat and lost dangerous hitters Matt Short (seven) and Chris Lynn (two) in the Power Play. Jake Weatherald ensured they still got full value from the early overs, surging his side to 2-47 with a cameo of 40 off just 19 deliveries.

Green (3-27) brought his downfall and combined well with fellow spinner Tanveer Sangha (2-27) to have the Strikers six down before the Power Surge. That’s where James Bazley (31 off 12) and Jamie Overton (45* off 35) changed the momentum, taking 33 runs from their two surge overs.

Though, as was the story of both sides’ innings, tumbling wickets posed a challenge to the strong run rate. New Zealand international Lockie Ferguson (3-24) played a key part in that, removing Matt Short early on and Bazley late to strike Adelaide where it hurt.

The result marked a loss for new Strikers coach Tim Paine in his first game at the helm. They’ll next take on Melbourne Stars at Adelaide Oval on Friday night, while the Thunder looks ahead to a Sydney derby at ENGIE Stadium as part of Saturday’s double-header.

SCORECARD

RESULT: Thunder won by 2 wickets with 2 balls remaining
POTM: Daniel Sams (Sydney Thunder)
BAT FLIP: Sydney Thunder won and elected to bowl

Adelaide Strikers 8-182 (20)
Jamie Overton 45* (35), Jake Weatherald 40 (19), James Bazley 31 (12)
Lockie Ferguson 3-24 (4), Chris Green 3-27 (4), Tanveer Sangha 2-27 (4)

Sydney Thunder 8-183 (19.4)
Sam Konstas 56 (27), Daniel Sams 42* (18), Sam Billings 29 (26)
Jamie Overton 2-28 (3.4), Henry Thornton 2-34 (4), Fabian Allen 1-10 (2)

INNINGS BREAKDOWNS:

Power Play (1-4):
Strikers: 2-47
Thunder: 1-52

Halfway (10):
Strikers: 4-84
Thunder: 3-95

Power Surge:
Strikers (15-16): 1-33 [6-114 to 7-147]
Thunder (17-18): 1-19 [6-130 to 7-149]

Totals:
Strikers: 8-182 (20)
Thunder: 8-183 (19.4)

SQUADS

Sydney Thunder: David Warner (c), Sam Konstas, Cameron Bancroft, Oliver Davies, Sam Billings (wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Chris Green, Daniel Sams, Nathan McAndrew, Lockie Ferguson, Tanveer Sangha

Adelaide Strikers: Matt Short (c), Jake Weatherald, Chris Lynn, Harry Nielsen (wk), Alex Ross, Jamie Overton, Fabian Allen, James Bazley, Henry Thornton, Cameron Boyce, Lloyd Pope

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