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Thanks a lot for joining us- Rudransh Khurana and Mohul Bhowmick- for this exciting game of cricket from Sydney. Don't go elsewhere (just switch tabs) as I, Mohul, will be back with Bidipto Datta to bring to you another game from the same venue- the Sydney Sixers taking on the Hobart Hurricanes- soon!
Hannah Darlington is the Player of the Match, let's hear from her: We were a little bit stressed at the end. I didn't like when we didn't have a lot of control but we showed what we wanted to do! There was a bit in the wicket. That's the first time I just tried to bowl as fast as possible instead of using variations. Loved every bit of it. Pre season was pretty hard but it's all worth it in moments like this. We are just having so much fun, Chamari's been a great addition. We are much more rounded and not relying on one player. (Heather Knight) I have been a bit of shadow to her. The calmness, reassurance she gives is incredible. She's also a bit of a kid and is having a great time!
Sydney Thunder beat Melbourne Stars by 4 runs!
Heather Knight 45 (35) | Hannah Darlington 5-10 Alice Capsey 27 (19) Sophie Day 4-35
Even the most ardent of the Sydney Thunder Women supporters would not have thought that their team would put up such a stunning bowling performance.
Hannah Darlington was the star of the show for the women in fluorescent green and who ensured that the Stars were sent packing. Chasing such a modest total of 126 must have seemed like a walk in the park for the Stars, but none of their batters chose to take up the responsibility needed to see them through.
Only skipper Meg Lanning batted for a while but after she was gone, it seemed like a virtual circus. Annabel Sutherland, Alice Capsey and Sophia Dunkley, the other senior batters in the side, all flattered to deceive.
The Thunder did not give up on this game and were bang on target from the get-go. Marizanne Kapp's beautiful inswinger that castled Dunkley for a two-ball duck was what started the show for the Thunder.
The Stars relied heavily upon their skipper Lanning, but she was unable to provide them with much comfort. This win will give the Thunder a lot of confidence going further into the competition.
Absolute heartbreak for Illingworth! She brought the Thunder back into the game, but could not quite finish it off!
20
overs
125/10score
W
1lb
W
5wd
0
4
W
runs
Samantha Bates*
4(3)
Lauren Smith
0(1)
Sophie Day
4/35
19.6 Chamari Athapaththu to Milly Illingworth, MILLY MISSES IT! The 18-year-old brought her team so close when they had no hope but missed this tossed up delivery outside the off-stump! Chamari's experience prevails, Thunder sneak in another win by just 4 runs!
Oopsie! Athapaththu tries to run Day out at the non-striker's end while delivering the ball but pulls out at the last moment!
19.5 Chamari Athapaththu to Sophie Day, outside the leg-stump, pushed to deep square and Milly is back on strike!
19.4 Chamari Athapaththu to Milly Illingworth, BRINGS OUT THE REVERSE SWEEP! Full outside the leg stump and she goes for it but gets as far as third man
Just a few singles...
19.3 Chamari Athapaththu to Sophie Day, full on fourth stump, Day drives it down the ground to bring Milly back on strike
19.2 Chamari Athapaththu to Milly Illingworth, oh! Full outside the off-stump and sends it just past Chamari's fingers for one
19.1 Chamari Athapaththu to Milly Illingworth, good length ball outside the off-stump, Milly lines up to go over deep square but misses the pull!
Chamari Athapaththu [1-0-9-0] will bowl the final over.
The Stars need just nine runs to win this game! Illingworth appears to have a calm head upon her shoulders. She can try to take her team towards glory.
19
overs
117/9score
2
W
6
2nb
1
4
1
runs
Milly Illingworth*
12(4)
Sophie Day
4(8)
Sammy-Jo Johnson
1/30
18.6 Sammy-Jo Johnson to Milly Illingworth, short and wide, cut to point! She almost got it in the gap again but would take the single
Things are changing completely here!
18.5 Sammy-Jo Johnson to Milly Illingworth, FOUR MORE! DO WE HAVE A GAME HERE?? Short on the middle and she sends the pull down square leg!
18.4 Sammy-Jo Johnson to Sophie Day, FREE HIT! Slower one on the middle, Day waits for it and sends it down deep square leg for just one
And the plot thickens! This was a no-ball and a free hit is about to come!