Thunder end the Melbourne Stars’ dream run to set-up Sydney final

The Thunder have ended the Melbourne Stars’ fairytale run to set up an all-or-nothing Sydney Smash for a place in the BBL decider.

The Melbourne Stars’ quest for an elusive maiden Big Bash title is over after Tanveer Sangha spun the Thunder out of a big hole, moving the Sydneysiders a step closer to a spot in next week’s final in Hobart.

Despite a break for lightning and some nervous moments, it was the Thunder who overcame a sluggish start and a dangerous Glenn Maxwell to win by 21 runs at Engie Stadium on Wednesday night.

Chasing 7/135 on a challenging wicket, the Stars’ hopes of edging closer to a fourth decider hit rocky ground when Nathan McAndrew struck twice inside the first three overs before they slumped to 3/27.

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Needing a miracle and coming off a trio of rapid fifties, all eyes turned to Maxwell and the Big Show didn’t take long to make his move before 13,067 fans.

A hat-trick of boundaries in the eighth over swung the momentum, but the Thunder had all the answers when Sangha rocked the Stars with back-to-back blows in the 12th over.

Fresh from Sangha signing a three-year BBL extension, when the leggie fired off Maxwell and Tom Curran with consecutive deliveries, the lime green brigade never looked back.

Returning at the death, McAndrew finished off the innings in the 18th over for 114, and with 5/16 finished with the best BBL figures by a Thunder player.

Just as Matthew Gilkes looked like kicking into gear with consecutive boundaries off Peter Siddle, the Thunder innings took an awkward twist when the opener spooned one to Tom Curran in the fourth over.

The catch appeared to be clean until the third umpire correctly ruled the ball had grazed the turf. With Gilkes called back, and despite no sign of rain, the players were all ordered off with the threat of lightning.

“We were discussing this while watching the game last night,” said Stars gun Hilton Cartwright.

“Not to say it’s the right decision or wrong decision … these dismissals at the moment are getting a lot of air time.

“If you look back at the past, a lot of those are given out, there was the argument of his fingers being under there.

“No doubt, the ball is touching the turf, but it’s whether or not his fingers are also under the (ball).

“I don’t want to be in the position of the third umpire to have to look at that, they’re very difficult decisions, but the more they pop up, the more they seem to be overturned in recent times.”

This was close...

Tom Curran looked to have caught Matthew Gilkes, but the Thunder batter has survives! #BBL14pic.twitter.com/KXGNye1YRb

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 22, 2025

Cartwright said players had to be more trusting of their rivals, while highlighting how crucial it was to get every decision correct.

“I’m a big believer in the spirit of cricket and trusting guys’ judgment,” Cartwright said.

“The game’s become so competitive, there’s so much on the line in these games, and with the amount of technology we have as well … that makes it available to make sure the correct decision is made.”

After a short break, the game was reduced to 19 overs. Gilkes eventually went for 28 off 18, while Oliver Davies gave the innings hope, landing one of his team’s three sixes in a run-a-ball 36.

Runs against the new ball were always going to prove crucial on a slow deck at Homebush.

Sent into bat, the Thunder’s hope of getting away to a flyer immediately nosedived when David Warner slashed Curran to Marcus Stoinis for a duck in the opening over.

All indications pointed to a sticky wicket and it played out that way with the Stars’ tweakers continuing the momentum with a combined three wickets for 47 from eight overs.

Usama Mir was the pick, the leggie landed a couple of early blows, finishing his full complement with 2/26.

After last week’s washout, a bigger and better Sydney Smash returns to the SCG on Friday.

With a spot in Monday’s decider in Hobart up for grabs, for a Thunder side desperate to repeat their BBL05 success, a victory would be the ultimate payback after the Sixers retained bragging rights with last month’s final-ball thriller.

Originally published as Thunder end the Melbourne Stars’ dream run to set-up Sydney final