McKay playing key role for Thunder

Leicestershire's overseas player Clint McKay has been busy playing for Sydney Thunder in the KFC Big Bash over the festive period. Here is the round-up from their latest three matches:

Round Three

Thunder maintained their 100 per cent record with a comfortable seven-wicket success against Adelaide Strikers at the Sydney Showground Stadium with McKay again coming to the fore.

The seamer took 2-18 from three overs including the important wicket of England all-rounder Adil Rashid as the Strikers struggled to 117-9 despite 34 from former Foxes favourite Brad Hodge.

Jacques Kallis anchored the chase with a cultured unbeaten 49 as the Thunder cruised home with 21 deliveries to spare.

McKay has so far taken five wickets at an impressive average of 11.20 and an equally good economy rate of 6.33.

Round Four

Hobart Hurricanes inflicted a first defeat on Sydney Thunder at the Blundstone Arena despite another impressive contribution from McKay.

The bowler picked up the key wickets of Tim Paine, Ben Dunk, Kumar Sangakkara and Darren Sammy in claiming 4-28 from three overs but George Bailey’s unbeaten 56 (29 balls) helped the hosts post 163-6 on New Year’s Day.

Mike Hussey’s measured 51-ball 71 got Thunder close but the Hurricanes were terrific in the field to claim an 11-run success.

The Hurricanes were particularly sharp at the business end of the innings, claiming three wickets in as many deliveries at the start of the antepenultimate over. There were two fine catches from Clive Rose and wicket-keeper Paine while a direct hit by Dan Christian was sandwiched between those efforts.

The first of those wickets was key man Hussey, who holed out to Rose at long-on off the bowling of Reed. The young seamer claimed three wickets alongside experienced new ball partner Shaun Tait, who was named man of the match after taking 3-16 from his allocation.

Hobart Hurricanes are now level on points with Sydney Thunder and Adelaide Strikers, with the trio of teams each having collected six points from four matches. 

Round Five

Sydney Thunder suffered a second consecutive KFC Big Bash defeat on Sunday, this time to Brisbane Heat by a six-wicket margin.

The Thunder put a competitive 186-5 on the board with former Australia internationals Mike Hussey (56) and Shane Watson (46) leading the way in sharing 97 for the third wicket.

However, the Thunder were the latest team to face the wrath of Chris Lynn’s willow. Lynn had previously made scores of 75 not out and 101 and smashed 75 off 32 balls on this occasion, including six fours and the same amount of maximums.

Brisbane secured victory with three balls remaining and it proved a tough evening for the bowlers, with McKay returning figures of 3.3-0-41-0. McKay is the joint leading wicket-taker for Thunder alongside Andre Russell with nine victims at 13.88 apiece.

The Thunder sit second in the table and are next in action on Thursday at home to reigning champions Perth Scorchers. The Scorchers are level on points with the Thunder but have a game in hand.