All-time BBL catch, David Warner fireworks highlight Sydney Thunder’s win over Melbourne Renegades

Will Sutherland’s “top three” BBL catch couldn’t deny master blaster David Warner from leading Thunder to a dominant victory over the Renegades. WATCH THE FULL HIGHLIGHTS

Sydney’s fireworks came a night early after Will Sutherland took one of the greatest catches of all-time but it wasn’t enough as David Warner led the Thunder to an eight-run win over the Renegades with a superb half-century to launch his side into second spot behind fierce rivals the Sixers.

The hosts posted 4/156 from their 20 overs thanks to Warner’s unbeaten 86 which featured an audacious switch hit six off former Australian teammate Adam Zampa who had earlier given Ollie Davies a mouthful after he took his wicket.

But it was Sutherland who stole the show with a catch that will be used in BBL promotions for the next 50 years.

Renegades teammate Mackenzie Harvey took a screamer last week but that looked like a sitter compared to Sutherland who sent Sam Billings on his way in the first over of the power surge.

Fielding at mid-on, the Renegades skipper raced backwards and had to dive as far as he could to reel in a well struck shot from Billings that would have gone over the head of most other players.

Sutherland used his big frame and all of his AFL experience to reel in a one-handed stunner that sent social media into meltdown and left the Thunder faithful in stunned silence.

“I’ve seen a lot of great catches in the BBL, but that’s in my top three in BBL history,” Brett Lee said in commentary.

WARNER’S WORLD

The veteran opener hasn’t had the flashiest start to the tournament, but Warner was at his brilliant best as he whacked his highest BBL score since he hit an unbeaten century on debut 13 years ago.

Runs didn’t come easily in the first 15 overs for the Thunder but they exploded late thanks to the skipper who launched Zampa over the rope despite being beaten in flight.

He then hit Fergus O’Neill for six in the next over and switch hit him for four a ball later in his most enterprising knock off the season which could have been even more destructive if he’d faced more than 57 deliveries.

David Warner switch hits a six against the Renegades

Warner survived an LBW shout on 23 when he was given out but the review showed the ball had pitched outside leg, with his teammates getting starts but failing to go on with it.

Davies was one of three batters dismissed for either 10 or 11 and was given a proper spray by Zampa for the shot he played, with the NSW teammates trading barbs as he trudged off.

MISSED OPPORTUNITY

Warner’s ability to anchor the innings is something Jake Fraser-McGurk needs to add to his game after the big-hitting opener threw his wicket away when his team needed him most.

Fraser-McGurk struggled for any fluency on Monday night before he fell for 26 off 27 when he spooned a simple return catch to Chris Green.

He was dropped earlier by Green but didn’t take advantage of the reprieve, with Laurie Evans (40 off 26) giving them a flicker of hope before he became Wes Agar’s fourth victim.

The Renegades never had the ascendancy in the chase, with Sutherland trapped in front first ball to leave Agar on a hat-trick as the Renegades lost their second match in Sydney this season.