SYDNEY THUNDER have won their first Big Bash League (BBL) final in five years to set up a Sydney Smash against the Sixers in Friday’s Challenger. The home side successfully defended 7-135 in a weather-shortened 19-over game at ENGIE Stadium to defeat the Melbourne Stars by 21 runs.

While off-pace and spin dominated on the slow wicket, quick Nathan McAndrew produced a Player of the Match performance with 5-16 off four overs – the best ever figures in a BBL final. McAndrew struck with wickets to remove both Stars openers in his first two overs, and cleaned up the tail in his fourth.

Spinners Tom Andrews (2-20) and Tanveer Sangha (2-31) cashed in during the middle overs to help skittle the Stars for 114 in the 18th. Chris Green also chimed in with 1-16 to ensure that aside from McAndrew’s feats, spin accounted for the remaining wickets.

The Stars’ best partnership – between 38 off 33 Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell – was broken by Green, before Sangha struck with consecutive balls and Andrews rounded out a collapse of 4-8. Maxwell’s 28 off 21 was the top score for his side as all batters struggled for timing and fluency.

The run rate required was approaching 10 per over when Melbourne took the Power Surge, sitting at 7-73 with Hilton Cartwright being the final hope. He went big before heading back to the sheds for 15 off 10. Then with 24 runs required off the last 12 balls, McAndrew struck twice to seal the result.

Earlier, the Thunder were sent in to bat and made a disastrous start when skipper David Warner scuffed a drive to cover off the second ball to depart without scoring. Matthew Gilkes then brought the attack and survived a grounded catch before lightning caused a delay of around 15 minutes.

The Stars red the conditions well as Usama Mir nabbed both ends of an innings-high partnership between Gilkes (28 off 18) and Hugh Weibgen (11 off 11). The strangling pressure also saw Doug Warren remove dangerman Sam Billings for 24 off 25, all before the Power Surge was taken.

As is often the case, the surge overs yielded wickets with Peter Siddle and Stoinis striking to restrict the Thunder to just 2-14. Oliver Davies (36 off 35) was the last key man but became Curran’s second victim, leaving the tail to take the total above a-run-a-ball. It proved enough on the inconsistent pitch.

Curran and Mir ended with innings-best figures of 2-26; with the former’s pace off deliveries proving hard to get away, while the latter bamboozled the Thunder batters. Stoinis (1-18), Warren (1-18), and Siddle (1-29) also got among the wickets.

The Thunder will next take on local rivals the Sixers on Friday night at the SCG, in a replay of the Sydney Smash which was washed out last week. A decider against the Hobart Hurricanes awaits the victor of that match at Bellerive Oval on Monday.

SCORECARD

RESULT: Sydney Thunder won by 21 runs.
POTM: Nathan McAndrew (Sydney Thunder)
BAT FLIP: Melbourne Stars elected to bowl first.

Sydney Thunder 7-135 (19)
Oliver Davies 36 (35), Matthew Gilkes 28 (18), Sam Billings 24 (25)
Tom Curran 2-26 (4), Usama Mir 2-26 (4), Marcus Stoinis 1-9 (3)

Melbourne Stars 10-114 (18)
Glenn Maxwell 28 (21), Mark Steketee 18 (13), Hilton Cartwright 15 (11)
Nathan McAndrew 5-16 (4), Tom Andrews 2-20 (3), Tanveer Sangha 2-31 (4)

INNINGS BREAKDOWN:

Power Play (1-4):
Thunder: 1-36
Stars: 2-26

Halfway (9):
Thunder: 3-59
Stars: 3-61

Power Surge:
Thunder (15-16): 4-93 to 6-107 (2-14)
Stars (14-15): 7-73 to 8-89 (1-16)

Totals:
Thunder: 7-135 (20)
Stars: 10-114 (18)