Sam Konstas stars, Daniel Sams hits 31 runs in one over as Thunder edge Strikers

All-rounder Daniel Sams smashed 31 runs in the penultimate over to lead Sydney Thunder to a thrilling win over the Adelaide Strikers as teen sensation Sam Konstas made his mark.

Sydney Thunder all rounder Daniel Sams has smashed 31 runs in the penultimate over to help lead the Thunder to an unlikely victory over the Adelaide Strikers.

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Teen sensation Sam Konstas was also outstanding, belting the fastest half century in Sydney Thunder history to also contribute heavily to chasing down the Strikers’ score of 8-182.

The Thunder looked gone, needing 34 off 12 before Sams had the over of his life.

Sams terrorised Strikers spinner Lloyd Pope, hitting three sixes and three fours (one wide). 31 is equal for the most expensive over in BBL history.

“This is unbelievable... They’ve snatched victory from the jaws of defeat,” Brendon Julian said on Fox Cricket.

That set up three runs to win off the final over, and fittingly, Sams hit the winning runs with a single through cover with three balls left to seal the victory.

Sams almost had to depart the crease an over prior to his hitting spree but survived a DRS review for caught behind.

While it sounded like an edge off the bat live, a look at the Ultra Edge (Snicko) was inconclusive and it was unable to overturn the original decision of not out.

Earlier, Konstas stole the show with an epic half century off 20 balls.

Konstas has had quite the summer in red ball cricket, rocketing into contention for a spot up the order in the Aussie Test side, and he’s been able to translate that form to the Big Bash.

Konstas, in his Big Bash debut, hit 50 in just 20 balls and becomes the youngest Thunder player to record a half century. He soon departed LBW for 56 off 27.

His innings was littered with classy shots, including a couple of cheeky ramp shots which proves he’s going to be a huge name in Australian cricket for many years in all forms of the game.

He hit eight fours and two huge sixes throughout his 27-ball knock.

His opening partner and captain David Warner fell cheaply for just 7 caught in the outfield after a leading edge.

Warner was glowing of Konstas during an interview with Fox Cricket during the Thunder’s innings.

“He’s just calm and clear in his mind,” Warner said.

“It was actually exciting to go out and bat with him. I love that his chit chat was good. He’s playing with freedom, and that’s what you like from a youngster.”

First Big Bash six for teen sensation Sam Konstas!

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In the field, Warner provided a masterstroke in his first game as captain since his six-and-a-half leadership ban ended.

With the Thunder travelling well at 1-38 off three overs, Warner made the call to bring on spinner Chris Green, who got the wicket of danger man Chris Lynn with his first ball.

It was a terrific wicket from Green, who confused Lynn with some extra bounce and then dived forward to take a brilliant catch off his own bowling.

The wicket set up a hilarious exchange between the commentary team of Mark Waugh and Mike Hussey after Waugh said pre-wicket that he would have given pacer Lockie Ferguson another over instead of putting Green into the attack.

“What would you know,” Hussey said jokingly.

“Good call,” Waugh replied.

Thanks to some big hitting from James Bazely (31), Jake Weatherald (40) and Jamie Overton (45n.o), the Strikers set a very competitive total of 8-182, but it wouldn’t be enough after Sams’ game-winning performance.

Strikers 8-182 (20 overs)

Thunder 8-183 (19.3 overs)

SUPER SAMS

Konstas provided the headlines but it was Sams who sealed the win with some late fireworks, although Strikers fans will be wondering if a crucial DRS call cost them.

Sams was on six in the 18th over with the Thunder needing 40 off 16 when there was a huge appeal for a caught behind. The umpire gave it not out and the decision was supported, with the bat appearing to make contact with the pitch.

The call proved crucial for Sams who looked scratchy but exorcised his demons off Lloyd Pope as he pummelled three sixes and three fours to take 31 runs off the over to flip the script, before he sealed the epic win with two wickets in hand.

HAMMY DRAMA

There have been a few injuries to start the tournament, and that continued in Canberra with Allen limping off with a hamstring issue in a big blow to the Strikers going forward.

The West Indian spinner took 1-10 from his two overs but was left clutching his right hamstring after diving while attempting to stop a boundary.

They’ll be sweating on scans after their first-up loss where Jamie Overton starred with an unbeaten 45 as he and James Bazley went ballistic in the power surge to help them post a solid total after back-to-back player of the tournament Matt Short had a rare off night with the bat.

IT’S EASY BEING GREEN

Chris Green may have lost the captaincy, but he remains one of the Thunder’s most important weapons with the all-rounder ripping through the Adelaide top order when it looked like they were about to let loose.

Known for darting them in to dry up the runs, Green bowled with a bit more variety on Tuesday as he got rid of Chris Lynn with his first ball before he removed Jake Weatherald for 40 and then Harry Nielsen.

Green finished with 3-27 from his four overs in BBL game 99, with fellow spinner Tanveer Sangha also picking up two wickets as he pushes for a Test spot next month in Sri Lanka.

- with Martin Gabor (NCA Newswire)

Originally published as Sam Konstas stars, Daniel Sams hits 31 runs in one over as Thunder edge Strikers