Beating Renegades is the focus for Thunder after Gabba lights fiasco
Robbed of victory after the lights out fiasco in Brisbane, Sydney Thunder want someone to pay and it could be the Melbourne Renegades.
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Sydney Thunder’s players have been told just to forget all about the farcical ending to their last match against the Brisbane Heat and reclaim control of their own destiny by beating the Melbourne Renegades on Tuesday night.
The Thunder have appealed to Cricket Australia to be awarded full points for their abandoned game against the Heat when some of the lights went out at the Gabba but for the players it’s business as usual.
Although the outcome of their appeal could have a huge bearing on whether or not they make the Big Bash playoffs, they can also render the outcome immaterial by winning their remaining games.
“We talked about it but we’re going to move on and make sure we’re ready for the next game,” Thunder batsman Callum Ferguson said.
“The mood is good, everyone’s up and about and we feel like we’re playing great cricket and in a good place so we’re just trying to make sure we put it behind us and focus on the next game.”
The Thunder currently have a two-point lead over the Heat after Brisbane’s thumping loss to the Sixers on Monday night and will rocket into second spot on the table if they knock over the Renegades at Spotlight Stadium.
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The Renegades are the only team to have beaten the competition frontrunners, the Hobart Hurricanes, this season but have struggled for consistency and lost their last match to the Melbourne Stars.
“I think the reason teams seem to be so up and down this year is because the competition is so close and anyone can beat anyone on their day so it’s about trying to grab momentum,” Ferguson said.
“We haven't played them yet so we’ve got them twice in a short period but we know they’ve got a lot of threats in their line-up so they’ll be looking to bounce back.”
Although the power blackout robbed them of the win, Ferguson said Shane Watson’s first BBL century made when all the lights were on against the Heat had given all the Thunder players a giant boost.
Like a lot of his teammates, Watson had been getting off to a lot of good starts without making a really big score but his breakthrough has given all the top-order batsmen a timely shot of self-belief.
“It’s a huge lift for us because we know how good a player he is and he was a little frustrated he’s been getting starts without getting a big one,” Ferguson said.
“It’s no surprise to anyone in our dressing room because he’s a high quality player and hitting the ball beautifully but it has given everyone else a lift.
“I know myself I’ve been frustrated because I do feel like I'm hitting the ball well and getting starts so just looking forward to getting that score that puts the icing on your season.
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Originally published as Beating Renegades is the focus for Thunder after Gabba lights fiasco
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