Watch: Fixing in BBL? Sydney Thunder refuse to appeal despite Peter Handscomb’s clear edge, Adam Gilchrist shocked
Published - 22 Jan 2025, 05:06 PM | Updated - 22 Jan 2025, 06:01 PM
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A shocking incident unfolded during the ongoing Knockout match of the Big Bash League 2024-25 (BBL 2024-25) between Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars at the Sydney Showground Stadium in Sydney on Wednesday (January 22).
David Warner-led Sydney Thunder refused to appeal despite Peter Handscomb getting a fairly healthy edge on the ball. Later, UltraEdge showed a massive spike, which sparked massive match-fixing allegations. This scandalous incident took place during the second over of Melbourne Stars’ chase against Sydney Thunder in the ongoing BBL 2024-25 Knockout.
Also Read: Watch: Glenn Maxwell silences Sydney crowd with Virat Kohli-esque gesture in BBL 2024-25 knockout
BBL 2024-25 Knockout Match sparks Match-Fixing controversy in Sydney
On the fourth ball of the second over, Wes Agar bowled a short ball just outside off, and Peter Handscomb swung across the line and there was a loud noise as there was a clear edge. It was a poor shot selection, as Handscomb was trying hard to hit a boundary. Later, UltraEdge revealed that Handscomb actually got a thick edge, but no one appealed from the Sydney Thunder camp.
Neither the bowler Wes Agar nor the wicketkeeper Sam Billings went for an appeal or even review despite the healthy nick, and Handscomb got the lifeline. This incident stunned the legendary Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, who was commentating on the BBL match.
Peter Handscomb smashed this one, but he's still out in the middle!#BBL14 pic.twitter.com/qKt3bjgmLO
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 22, 2025
Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder Knockout Highlights
Speaking about the BBL 2024-25 Knockout, Melbourne Stars had won the toss and opted to field and Sydney Thunder made the most of the gifted opportunity as it was visible that the surface at the Sydney Showground Stadium wasn’t easy to bat on.
However, Thunder didn’t have a good start but some valuable contributions from Matthew Gilkes (28), Sam Billings (24) and Oliver Davies (36) and small partnerships powered the hosts to 135/7 in 19 overs against the Stars. Notably, it was a 19-over per side match due to lightning.
Tom Curran and Usama Mir each have scalped two wickets for Melbourne Stars. Well, the story was similar in the second innings, no batter could score 30 runs in the match in Sydney. After losing three wickets for 27 runs, Stars captain Marcus Stoinis (15) joined hands with Glenn Maxwell (28) and they stitched a 38-run partnership to bring some stability.
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But others faltered against Thunder. However, Mark Steketee contributed 18 runs, but Sydney Thunder managed to restrict Melbourne Stars to 114 runs to win the Big Bash League 2024-25 knockout by 21 runs to qualify for the Challenger on January 24 at the Syndey Cricket Ground.
Bit of a bowler-friendly wicket out there: POTM Nathan McAndrew
For Thunder, Nathan McAndrew starred with the ball, taking a five-wicket haul, while Tom Andrews and Tanveer Sangha each snared two wickets against the Stars. Unfortunately, this season ended for the Stars with the loss against the Thunder on Wednesday.
McAndrew was named Player of the Match for his match-winning efforts against the Stars. Nathan McAndrew said at the post-match presentation: “Bit of a bowler-friendly wicket out there. Stoinis and Maxwell looked dangerous but we held our nerve. We’ve played in quite a lot of finals but we’ve not had a lot of home finals, we love playing here. Hopefully, we can win two more for them (fans).”
