BBL 2022-23: Sydney Thunder beat Brisbane Heat; clinch nail-biter by 11 runs ​

Sydney Thunder players celebrating the victory

The 19th game of the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 2022-23 produced an edge-of-the-seat thriller, which saw Sydney Thunder edge past the Brisbane Heat by 11 runs. 

Daniel Sams propels Thunder to a massive total

Put into bat, the Thunder lost their top performer from the last match, Alex Hales, cheaply for 9. Matthew Gilkes and the in-form Rilee Rossouw stood their ground and consolidated the innings, adding 50 runs in 42 balls.

However Rossouw (39), in an attempt to up the ante, ended up giving his wicket to James Bazley. Gilkes fell to Matthew Kuhnemann for 37 in the next over.

Alex Ross and Oliver Davies joined forces and ransacked the Heat's bowling attack, mustering up 40 runs in just 17 deliveries. Michael Neser halted their charge, nabbing Davies for 16.

However, it was the 15-ball 36* by Daniel Sams that worked wonders for the Thunder, powering them to 182. 

Munro's heroic knock goes in vain

Chasing 183, the Heat started poorly, losing Max Bryant and Matt Renshaw within two overs. New Zealand's Colin Munro, unfazed, attacked the bowlers and kept the scoreboard ticking at a brisk pace. 

However, the experienced batters Sam Billings and Jimmy Peirson couldn't do much, being dismissed for five and nine, respectively. 

Although James ​Bazley provided some excitement for their side, scoring a 24-ball 29, he fell victim to Usman Qadir.

With 13 needed off five, Munro handed a skier to Sams off Nathan McAndrew's bowling and fell for a scintillating 98.  McAndrew claimed two more wickets in the same over to restrict the hosts to 171, handing them a 11-run defeat. 

Brief Scores

Sydney Thunder: 182/6 (20)

Rilee Rossouw 39 (35), Matthew Gilkes 37 (35);
James Bazley 4/22 (4), Matthew Kuhnemann 1/8 (1)

Brisbane Heat:  171/9 (20)

Colin Munro 98 (53), James Bazley 29 (24);
Nathan McAndrew 4/32 (4), Daniel Sams 2/41 (4)

Sydney Thunder win by 11 runs.

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