Twitter Reactions: Jos Buttler and bowlers hand Sydney Thunder a big win

Jos Buttler and Fawad Ahmed’s power-packed performances helped Sydney Thunder earn a huge 57-run win against the Hobart Hurricanes. George Bailey and co never looked competent enough on the day and eventually, they succumbed horrendously. It was comprehensive all-round show from the Thunder, especially their bowlers.

Batting first, Jos Buttler went berserk in the first few overs. The Thunder batsmen got their side off to a flying start and with good support from the senior pro Shane Watson, they were absolutely cruising. The duo added 95 runs for the second wicket and a total above 180 was well on cards. Buttler had completed his half-century and Watson played the second-fiddle brilliantly.

In a surprising turn of events, Thunder fell apart as the innings entered the final stages. When Clive Ross picked up Jos Buttler’s wicket after he had scored 67 off 41 balls, the scorecard read 119/2 in 13.3 overs. The middle order failed to build on the run-rate the top order had achieved. Shane Watson too got dismissed for a 35-ball 41 and the innings never took an aerial flight post then.

Hobart Hurricanes picked up the all-important momentum going into the second innings. They managed to restrict the Thunder side to 166 for the loss of five scalps. Clive Ross returned with the best figures for the Hurricanes of 2/20.

Bowlers steal the “Thunder”

There was some initial blitz from the Hurricanes openers. Alex Doolan and D’Arcy Short struck a few boundaries in the first two overs and they couldn’t have asked for a better start. But they failed to keep the momentum going as the Thunder bowlers hit the bullseye. Mitchell McClenaghan picked up the first wicket for Thunder and there was no looking back for them.

The Hobart middle order had some very familiar names like George Bailey and Matthew Wade, but no one managed to create an impact. Alex Doolan was the lone warrior for the men in purple as he piled up a decent 34 off 32 balls. But he too fell soon to Arjun Nair and the tail failed to stick for long.

Hobart got bowled out 109 in 19.3 overs and handed a 57-run win for the men in green. All the five bowlers, Fawad Ahmed, Gurinder Sandhu, Arjun Nair, Mitchell McClenaghan and Chris Green returned with a brace. Fawad Ahmed was the pick, who returned with figures of 2/14 in 4 overs.

Here are some of the best reactions:

Terrific win by the @ThunderBBL never in doubt (got their game right for 80% of the game tonight) #BBL07

— Stew Moses ?? (@TheRiffMarn) December 30, 2017

Now that’s how you defend 160 odd @ThunderBBL Very impressed with Nair and Ahmed. ??????Need to back up tonight’s @BBL win with another one over @HurricanesBBL in 2 days time! ?? #ThunderNation #BBL2017 #BBL07

— Davo FB (@FCFBDragon) December 30, 2017

Happy to see a Pom smack em around! Jos Buttler that is! #ThunderNation back on track in #BBL07 .

— Brendan Rhodes (@JontytheJet) December 30, 2017

It finished 20 minutes early, but at least it didn't have KP in commentary. #BBL07

— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) December 30, 2017

But from a negative point of view, the lack of batting depth with the Hurricanes at present is worrying. #BBL07

— Alex Fair (@AJFair85) December 30, 2017

I think Tom Rogers has played his 1st and last game…..!?? #BBL07 #BBL2017 #HurricanesVThunder #BigBash #0/50off3overs #2ndballduck #dud

— Rodney Bird (@Birdos_82) December 30, 2017

Bailey departs and the Hurricanes find themselves in a spot of bother at 3-52 #BBL07 pic.twitter.com/uhT5j90EOB

— TEN Sport (@tensporttv) December 30, 2017

Thunder should be a top 3 team. Should. #BBL07

— Thomasee (@thomasee) December 30, 2017

And that's all she wrote, with the @ThunderBBL rolling on with a BIG 57 run victory. Sandhu, McCleneghan, Green, Ahmed, Nair all contributing with the ball. Oh, and then there's Jos Buttler. @HurricanesBBL really needed Doolan and someone else to go on #BBL07

— Davis Harrigan (@DeadlineDavis) December 30, 2017

Hope England call up Mills, not for his left-arm variety, but totally entertaining bunny tailend batting. #bbl07 #ashes

— Thilo Fob (@sourbeerdough) December 30, 2017

McClenaghan has himself in BBL fantasy 100% confirmed… Ever seen anyone try get out a number 11 as hard as he just did? #BBL07

— Matt Parker (@zoonmattau) December 30, 2017