Sydney Thunder batsman Alex Hales says he and his teammates felt like they’d some extent to show after marking their return to the Sydney Showground with a 10-wicket victory over the Brisbane Heat on Tuesday.
The residence fixture was the Thunder’s first since they have been all-out for 15 towards Adelaide lower than a fortnight in the past, with Hales (59no) and fellow opener Matthew Gilkes (56no) to thank for his or her dominant exhibiting.
The win – with 50 balls to spare – was the Thunder’s second of the season and strikes them off the underside of the BBL desk.
The cavalier strategy from Gilkes and Hales helped the Thunder chase down the Heat’s goal of 121 with ease, a lot to the delight of the 8,534-strong crowd.
Gilkes specifically took nice enjoyment of punishing Test hopeful Mitchell Swepson (0-40 from three overs), smashing him throughout the bottom for 25 off one over.
“What happened in the last game (at home) … this was the polar opposite,” Hales stated.
“I thought we bowled really well, they were brilliant from the get-go and they’ve been really good all year, our bowlers.
“It was good to again it up with the bat. You strive not to discuss that, what occurred was an anomaly.
“It was probably more on the crowd’s mind than ours, we just wanted to make sure we were positive and try to get on top of them early on.”
Brisbane had a tough night time after profitable the toss and opting to bat, with Max Bryant, Sam Billings and Matt Renshaw all strolling for single figures.
Opener Colin Munro steadied the ship with a methodical 43, constructing a balanced partnership with Jimmy Peirson (27).
There was some concern when Peirson was hit on the helmet by a 132kmh pacer from Nathan McAndrew within the eleventh over.
While Peirson was in a position to play on, his dismissal was the beginning of the Heat’s implosion, with Munro going and Michael Neser strolling for a golden duck.
Xavier Bartlett added a fast 28 off 17 balls to go away the Thunder with a modest and achievable whole.
They rose to the problem with Gilkes and Hales making some extent of going after Swepson and Neser from the get-go they usually did not relent.
“Hales is world class and Gilkes batted terrific too,” Neser stated.
“We know we can play good cricket, it’s just inconsistency.
“The hole between our greatest and our worse is quite a bit and hopefully that (hole closing) isn’t too far across the nook.”
