SYDNEY Thunder surged to the top of the BBL standings with a comprehensive defeat of the Adelaide Strikers, built upon a clinical display on the field.The Strikers never recovered from the loss of their big hitters Tim Ludeman and Craig Simmons in the first two overs of the innings, a target of 118 always well within range of the hosts, who are intent upon overturning four years of underachievement this season.
Scores: Sydney Thunder 3 for 121 (Kallis 49*, Blizzard 35) beat Adelaide Strikers 9 for 117 (Jayawardene 21, McKay 2-18, Russell 2-28) by seven wickets).
Andre Russell had set the Thunder on their way by procuring an edge from Ludeman off the first ball of the match, delighting another sold-out crowd at the Sydney Showground. When Gurinder Sandhu accounted for Simmons next over, the Strikers were left totally off balance and never quite recovered.
Ben Rohrer was everywhere in the field for the hosts, taking two catches while also being instrumental in a pair of run-outs. None was more important than his athletic effort to account for Mahela Jayawardene.
All members of the Thunder bowling attack contributed, but Russell, Clint McKay and Fawad Ahmed each had most reason to be happy with returns both stingy and also effective in hunting for wickets.
Only a rush of early dismissals would have allowed the Strikers to wriggle free, and these were averted by Aiden Blizzard and Jacques Kallis. They added 66 in good time, leaving the rest of the batsmen to canter to victory.
For once, the captain Michael Hussey was left with little to do. His brief appearance to aid Kallis collect the winning runs did not include facing a ball, but it was fitting for him to be in the middle for the completion of a win that mirrored his own professionalism to a tee. (ESPN Cricinfo)