END OF OVER:
20 | 4 Runs 1 Wkt | SS: 186/5 (47 runs required, RR: 9.30)

  • Carlos Brathwaite2 (3b)
  • Dan Christian21 (16b)
  • Brendan Doggett4-0-24-1
  • Adam Milne4-0-37-0

Two big games tomorrow. First, the Heat look to keep their play-off hopes alive against the Renegades, and then the big one: the Stars against the Scorchers at the MCG, with the hosts in a scrap for the play-offs. We'll be here to talk you through it as ever, and remember to check out Andrew McGlashan's report on tonight's carnage, but until then, it's goodnight from Ranjith and myself.

No prizes for guessing who the player of the match is. "It would be right up there [with my best innings]. Definitely top five," says Hales. "Really good day at the office for us. For us to turn up in the Sydney derby is really good. It's about finding that balance, having that positive intent but not throwing your wicket away. [Finals] It's a massive win for us, confidence-wise. The last few games haven't quite gone to plan. Hopefully we can get on a little roll now. I was just being sarcastic when I got back to the dugout, saying the pitch was spinning and seaming everywhere. Everyone put their hand up, came in and scored quickly from ball one. [Contact from England] No, nothing at all. Nothing from that end. I'm just going to see what happens. I hope so, that's the peak of cricket, playing for your country. If that's the end result, then brilliant. [Pitch] Really, really good. A ground that I really enjoy batting at. It's a beautiful place to play cricket. [Bowling effort] Really really impressive on a good pitch."

So the Thunder jump into third thanks to a 46-run win. This was a flat deck and Alex Hales made hay, hitting the second century of the season - and the second at the Adelaide Oval by a man named Alex in as many nights - as the Thunder piled on the biggest total in BBL history. The Sixers bowled poorly: they were in the game for one over, but when Hales cashed in against O'Keefe in the powerplay they were always behind the game. Henriques had some useful time in the middle in the chase but after Philippe fell early, the Sixers never stood much of a chance. They are still well-placed to finish top of the pile, but the Thunder take the Sydney Smash bragging rights.

19.6
1
Doggett to Brathwaite, 1 run, slot ball outside off, Brathwaite clears the front dog and clubs it towards cover

48 off the last...

19.5
0
Doggett to Brathwaite, no run, sets himself deep in the crease, and misses his swat at the pull
19.4
1lb
Doggett to Christian, 1 leg bye, full on the leg stump, flicked down to fine leg via the pad
19.3
1
Doggett to Brathwaite, 1 run, pulled to square leg

Brathwaite. Even an Eden Gardens special wouldn't do the job from here.

19.2
W
Doggett to Silk, OUT, straight through him, and pegs back the off stump! Silk shaped to heave over midwicket but was beaten for pace, and this was fuller than he anticipated. The zing bails go flying, and Silk's night is done. No rhythm from him tonight

JC Silk b Doggett 42 (30b 3x4 1x6) SR: 140.00

greg: "this game further pads the Thunder's net run rate and surely ensures their route into the playoffs" -- Yep, they're looking pretty comfortable now

19.1
1
Doggett to Christian, 1 run, yorker on off stump, dug out to long-off

51 off the last.

END OF OVER:
19 | 8 Runs | SS: 182/4 (51 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 9.57, RRR: 51.00)

  • Jordan Silk42 (29b)
  • Dan Christian20 (14b)
  • Adam Milne4-0-37-0
  • Nathan McAndrew4-0-57-0
18.6
6
Milne to Silk, SIX, short outside off, top-edged hook over square leg for six! Just the second of the innings - Alex Hales had hit that many within his first 13 balls
18.5
1
Milne to Christian, 1 run, whipped out to midwicket
18.4
0
Milne to Christian, no run, inside-edges through to Billings on the bounce

Danish: "Chris Green only bowled one over..surely could have been given at least another 2." -- You sound like a fantasy player spurned

18.3
0
Milne to Christian, no run, yorker outside off, Christian has a swish but it sneaks underneath his bat
18.2
0
Milne to Christian, no run, wide outside off, bottom-edges the cut through to Billings on the bounce

Laura: "@The phantom, it is not as simple as that. bad umpiring decision can still happen even with DRS (eg when there are no reviews left). hence, the standard of umpiring needs to better!"

18.1
1
Milne to Silk, 1 run, width outside the off stump, cuts hard to deep cover

Just the 59 needed off the last 12 balls.

END OF OVER:
18 | 12 Runs | SS: 174/4 (59 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 9.66, RRR: 29.50)

  • Dan Christian19 (10b)
  • Jordan Silk35 (27b)
  • Nathan McAndrew4-0-57-0
  • Brendan Doggett3-0-21-0
17.6
2
McAndrew to Christian, 2 runs, full toss, clubbed into the deep but he doesn't time it, and Green will get round to cut it off at deep midwicket

Matt M: "Can never be a good feeling when you hit a boundary and the asking rate still goes up..."

17.5
4
McAndrew to Christian, FOUR, jumps over to the off side to scoop a full ball over his left shoulder! Super shot, but the rate climbs regardless
17.4
2
McAndrew to Christian, 2 runs, straight yorker, flicked away through fine leg via the inside edge
17.3
0
McAndrew to Christian, no run, nutmegged by the yorker again! Angled down the leg side, and between the legs as he looks to squeeze it out
17.2
4
McAndrew to Christian, FOUR, short at the ribs, and pulled away for four
17.1
0
McAndrew to Christian, no run, nutmegs him with a yorker, angling in from wide on the crease

END OF OVER:
17 | 9 Runs | SS: 162/4 (71 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 9.52, RRR: 23.66)

  • Dan Christian7 (4b)
  • Jordan Silk35 (27b)
  • Brendan Doggett3-0-21-0
  • Tanveer Sangha4-0-34-2
16.6
1
Doggett to Christian, 1 run, short ball, banged in, and cut away to deep cover
16.5
1
Doggett to Silk, 1 run, banged in short, pulled to long-on
16.4
2
Doggett to Silk, 2 runs, wide outside off, slashed down to third man on the rope and they sneak back for a second
16.3
0
Doggett to Silk, no run, wide outside off, and Silk swings himself off his feet looking to carve over the covers. He's really struggled for rhythm
16.2
1
Doggett to Christian, 1 run, full and straight, clubbed out to deep square

The Phantom: "Know this has been said before, but DRS can't come soon enough to the BBL. At least that decision has no impact on the result tonight"

16.1
4
Doggett to Christian, FOUR, tight line on fourth stump, but Christian opens the face and slashes over third man for four!

80 off 24 is the equation. Doggett returns for his third.

Sixers 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st40JM VinceJR Philippe
2nd14JM VinceDP Hughes
3rd8MC HenriquesJM Vince
4th90MC HenriquesJC Silk
5th31DT ChristianJC Silk
6th3DT ChristianCR Brathwaite

Big Bash League

TeamMWLPTNRR
SS1495360.257
PS1485320.851
ST1486310.949
BH147729-0.286
AS1477280.105
HH147728-0.187
MS1458240.14
MR1441016-1.727