Sydney Thunder finally opened their account in the Big Bash League (BBL) as commanding half-centuries from Matthew Gilkes and Sam Konstas, followed by a match-winning spell from Shadab Khan, powered a 34-run victory over Brisbane Heat at Manuka Oval.
Thunder’s innings was built on a superb 127-run opening stand, with Konstas and Gilkes setting the tone from the outset. Konstas was elegant and assured, striking 63 off 45 balls with crisp off-side drives, while Gilkes took the aggressive route, clearing the ropes regularly on his way to a top-scoring 76 from 48 deliveries. Sent in to bat, Thunder surged through the powerplay and never relinquished momentum, finishing strongly on 193 for 4.
Brisbane Heat found some control through Jack Wildermuth (2-25), while Shaheen Shah Afridi showed signs of a return to form after a tough start to the tournament, bowling with pace and purpose to finish with 1-35. However, Heat were left to rue missed opportunities, including a costly drop of Gilkes just before drinks, which allowed Thunder to accelerate further.
Chasing 194, Heat were unable to summon another miracle following their record-breaking chase against Perth Scorchers earlier in the week. Shadab Khan ensured there would be no repeat, spinning a decisive web through the middle overs. The leg-spinner produced a masterclass in control and variation, finishing with 4 for 24, repeatedly halting Heat’s momentum.
Matt Renshaw briefly threatened to ignite the chase, continuing his rich vein of form with a fluent 43, while Hugh Weibgen added 30. But once Shadab dismantled the middle order, most notably castling Renshaw with a sharp wrong’un, the chase fizzled out. Heat were restricted to 159 for 6, never truly recovering from the loss of wickets at key moments.
Earlier, Thunder’s bowlers applied steady pressure, with Nathan McAndrew striking early and Shadab removing both openers to tilt the contest decisively. Heat’s famed power hitting never fully materialised, as Thunder’s discipline in the field and with the ball sealed a comprehensive win.
The result marks a crucial first victory of the season for Sydney Thunder after consecutive defeats, lifting confidence within the camp. Both sides now sit with one win and two losses, but Thunder will take significant encouragement from a performance that combined top-order dominance with incisive spin bowling.
