Sandhu heroics leave Stars Thunder struck

Gurinder Sandhu has inspired the Sydney Thunder to a thrilling opening-night Big Bash League win over the Melbourne Stars on Tuesday night.

The opening night of BBL12 may not have seen huge scores tallied, but it didn’t lack for thrills as Sandhu delivered with both the bat and ball in the Thunder’s one-wicket win.

Sent into bat at Canberra’s Manuka Oval, the Stars were restricted to 8-122 off their 20 overs, as Nick Larkin top scored with 25 off 26 deliveries and Australian World Cup gun Marcus Stoinis fell for a first-ball duck.

But the Thunder made hard work of their chase as Stars substitute fielder Brody Couch produced what may be two of the competition’s best catches for the season.

Couch was in the action immediately, helping Trent Boult dismiss Matthew Gilkes for a second-ball duck in the first over, before also claiming a catch to dismiss Chris Green (17) late in the innings.

Nathan Coulter-Nile did most of the damage for the Stars with 3-19 off his four overs, dismissing England World Cup hero Alex Hales (16 off 12) early in the innings.

But it was Sandhu that would ultimately see the Thunder home.

Along with claiming 2-23 from his four overs, Sandhu posted 20 off 16 balls with the bat.

The Thunder were needing seven from the last three balls with Sandhu at the crease before the all-rounder hammed Beau Webster for a six.

Webster then went for a bye off the last ball of the match to give the Thunder a thrilling win.

The BBL continues on Wednesday night where the Sydney Sixers remain favourites to beat the Adelaide Strikers despite playing on the road. 

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