Twitter Reactions: Tom Curran’s efforts in vain as Sydney Thunder race to second victory

Both Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers got off to a winning start in this edition’s Big Bash League, having beaten Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers respectively. The two teams faced off at the Sydney Showground Stadium and in the end, it was Shane Watson’s Thunder who brushed the Sixers away in a humdinger and emerged victorious by 21 runs. The victory also took them to their second consecutive triumph.

Buttler stands tall

The Sixers won the toss and opted to bowl. Jos Buttler and captain Watson opened the innings and took the Thunder off to a superlative start courtesy of a 54-run stand. After Sean Abbott nipped out Watson, Buttler, along with Callum Ferguson, took the Thunder to 102. In both the partnerships, Buttler was the aggressor and the English batter scored 63 runs from 37 balls with six boundaries and three sixes.

Left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe dismissed the ominous-looking Buttler in the 12th over, after which the Thunder lost their way a wee bit and could only score 67 runs in the last 49 balls with seven more wickets going down. Right-handed batsman Daniel Sams played a whirlwind knock of 28 from 11 deliveries with three fours and a couple of sixes and the cameo took the Thunder to 169/9 in 20 overs.

Curran’s efforts in vain

The run-chase didn’t start on an auspicious note Jack Edwards and Joe Denly were got rid of by Jonathan Cook and Sam Rainbird respectively. Skipper Moises Henriques tried to put his head down but fell prey to Sams after scoring 15 from 13 balls with one boundary. In the very next over, leg-break bowler Fawad Ahmed rattled Daniel Hughes’ woodwork. Previously Fawad also castled Jordan Silk for a duck.

The Sixers were reduced to 39/5 in seven overs. In the ninth over, Fawad trapped Josh Philippe, who scored 12. Thereafter, Tom Curran and Abbott didn’t throw in the towel and cobbled together a stand of 88 runs to keep the Sixers in contention. Curran looked in a different zone and he racked up 62 runs from 40 balls with eight fours and a six, but his brilliance couldn’t save the Sixers from a defeat.

Here is how Twitter reacted

Get the latest Cricket News and updates, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.