Sydney Thunder beat Perth Scorchers thanks to crucial Sam Konstas, David Warner cameos

Handy cameos from Test sensation Sam Konstas and veteran David Warner have helped the Sydney Thunder move a step closer to ending an eight-year BBL title drought.

Some later order hitting by spin recruit Tom Andrews has seen the Sydney Thunder move a step closer to ending an eight-year BBL title drought after the Sydneysiders almost threw away a golden start at ENGIE Stadium on Monday night.

Needing a victory to all but secure a finals spot, Sam Konstas got the Thunder away to a flyer with 53 off 42. The Scorchers spinners quickly applied the brakes, before Andrews’ late order heroics saw them scramble to 7/158.

In reply, the West Aussies needed to break a three-match losing streak to keep their season alive. But the five-time champions rolled over, bowled out for 97 in a heavy 61-run loss.

In a horror chase, the Scorchers lost Finn Allen and Sam Fanning in the second over. Fanning’s dismissal typified the reply, comically run out by a direct Chris Green hit with nothing on offer.

For veteran Green it was one highlight in a night to remember. One of only three Thunder batters to reach double figures with 20 off 16, the offie took 3/13 and celebrated his 100th wicket in green when Ashton Turner dragged a half-tracker to deep mid-wicket to make it 5/48 after six overs.

Sam Konstas crushes 50.

BORN ENTERTAINER

While doubts linger over his continued role as Test opener on the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, Sam Konstas got on with the job of doing what he does best - entertaining fans.

Opening with David Warner (8 off 7), Australia’s newest golden boy immediately cashed against the hard ball. A top edge off Lance Morris sailed over the fine leg rope, then he thumped the firebrand for another two boundaries to complete the second over.

Accommodating as always, the prodigious right-hander then welcomed U19s World Cup winning teammate Mahli Beardman to the BBL in style.

A replacement for the injured Jhye Richardson, the tall right-armer was called on to bowl the third over only to see an advancing Konstas deposit his fifth delivery over the long-on fence.

Sam Konstas notches a half century in his BBL return. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

PACE OFF

An aggressive Thunder finished the power play with 45 on the board after the Scorchers opted for an all out pace attack to start. Even with Warner and Matthew Gilkes back in the pavilion, an above par score of 148 seemed inevitable.

The introduction of spin changed the mood completely. Test hopeful Cooper Connolly and Matthew Spoors dried up the scoring, and with no further boundaries the Thunder headed to the drinks break teetering at 4/65 after 10 overs.

Left-armer Connolly skidded one through Sam Billings (8 off 18), before George Garton hoisted a Spoors leg-spinner (1 off 3) into the safe hands of Behrendorff.

Along with Ashton Agar, the trio combined to strangle the innings with 3/38 from 10 overs.

David Warner takes screamer.

TAIL WAGS

In an innings with more twists than a cheap garden hose, after firing out of the gates the Sydneysiders slumped to 7/114 at the end of 17 overs.

With Green at one end and little known Port Adelaide spinner Andrews at the other, the unlikely duo rocked the Scorchers with a 43-run stand off three overs.

The left-handed Andrews (37 off 13) went berserk, showcasing his little known clout with three sixes including one into the sightscreen to close out the innings off a Behrendorff over that cost 25.

Tom Andrews with his KFC player of the match bucket hat. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

SYDNEY SMASH

The result delighted the majority of the 10213 fans and with the Thunders’ destiny still in their own hands, Friday’s Sydney Smash at the SCG once again takes on blockbuster status.

A Sixers victory in the corresponding clash 12 months ago brought a premature end to the Thunder’s season, but with both sides still in the mix and Konstas and Steve Smith poised for a head-to-head tee-off, another sellout is expected.

Originally published as Sydney Thunder beat Perth Scorchers thanks to crucial Sam Konstas, David Warner cameos