BBL 5 Match 5 Review: Sydney Thunders v Melbourne Stars, Thunders clinch a nail-biter as KP’s blitz goes in vain

It was Michael Hussey versus brother David Hussey today at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as Sydney Thunders went head to head against Melbourne Stars. The older Hussey won the toss and chose to field first as dark clouds loomed over the stadium.

The match belonged to two individuals who played exceptionally today- Usman Khawaja and Kevin Pietersen. It was because of a sparkling century by Khawaja that the Thunders could manage a challenging total. And, off course, the Stars, without the blistering innings by KP, would have been nowhere closer to the target.

Usman Khawaja, coming back from a hamstring injury, opened with veteran Jacques Kallis. Both started well, but Kallis (9 from 8 balls) departed soon in the 5th over. Aiden Blizzard and Shane Watson also did not make any impact, both departed in successive overs. While all this was happening, Khawaja was scoring comfortably but the Thunders looked uncomfortable at 59/3. However, Mike Hussey came to the rescue with a 42 runs partnership with Khawaja. Later, Andre Rusell (22 off 16 balls) played a cameo in a 53 runs partnership with Khawaja. These two stands resurrected the Thunders innings.

McKay finished the innings with a six as the Thunders ended with 178 on the scoreboard in 20 overs. Khawaja was at his best, the left-hander drove, pulled, scooped, and ran between the wickets without any signs of discomfort. The target of 178 was quite challenging. Also along the fact that the Stars had faltered last time while chasing.

Openers Marcus Stoinis and Luke Wright begun well, but Andre Russell’s twin strike in the 6th over brought the Stars down to 48 for 2. This brought Glenn Maxwell and Kevin Pietersen to the crease. Pietersen showed his experience and played coolly while Maxwell looked happy with singles. But Maxi could stay long as he hit a ball straight to the short mid-wicket.

Skipper David Hussey was dismissed for a duck and could not make any difference. Pietersen needed a partner and finisher James Faulkner provided that support. Pietersen, in no time, blasted the Thunders’ bowlers to reach his half-century.

But, at a crucial time, Pietersen (76 from 42 balls) top edged a hook shot straight into the hands of the fielder at deep fine-leg. The 84 runs partnership almost took away the match from the hands of Thunders. The hopes now were on Faulkner who continued batting well.

The equation simmered down to 10 runs off the last six ball. Faulkner was at strike and Kallis had the balls in his hand. And, as it happened, the last over was an extract of Kallis’ experience while Faulkner spilled the drink over just before sipping into it.

Brief Scores:

Sydney Thunders: 178/6 in 20 overs (Usman Khawaja 109; Glenn Maxwell 2/28)

Melbourne Stars: 177/5 in 20 overs (Kevin Pietersen 76; Andre Russell 2/28)

Man of the Match: Usman Khawaja (Sydney Thunders)