Thunder through to Big Bash semi-final
Mon 18 Jan 2016
Clint McKay was again in fine form as Sydney Thunder qualified for the Big Bash semi-finals for the first time in their history after a thrilling finale to the FKC Big Bash group stages.
With three matches to go, holders Perth Scorchers and Adelaide Heat had secured their places in the final four while the Melbourne sides – the Renegades and the Stars - and the Thunder were battling it out for the remaining two slots.
The Thunder kept up their side of the bargain with a 46-run win in the derby against the Sixers but then had an anxious wait on other results. McKay and spinners Fawad Ahmed and Chris Green took three wickets apiece after Shane Watson (61) top-scored in a total of 202-5.
McKay’s haul of 3-16 secured his status as second joint leading wicket-taker in the competition after the group stages having taken 14 wickets, one fewer than Yorkshire and England leg-spinner Adil Rashid.
A Scorchers win against the Stars would then have secured the Thunder’s place but the Stars were in excellent form to topple the holders. The margin of victory - 52 runs - also secured a home semi-final against the same opposition.
It all came down to the Renegades final fixture against the Strikers, and the leaders put 170-5 on the board thanks to a late cameo from former Fox Brad Hodge (37 not out from 21 balls).
The Renegades had to chase down the runs in fewer than 16 overs to leapfrog the Thunder and that looked a real possibility as Chris Gayle blasted his way to the joint fastest T20 half-century in history off just a dozen deliveries.
However, the Strikers hit back to bowl the Renegades out for 143 after 15.3 overs so Sydney Thunder travel to Adelaide Strikers for the first semi-final on Thursday (8.30am start GMT).
