Twitter Reactions: Thunders Beat Sixers in Sydney Derby in the Opening Match of BBL

Sydney Thunders registered a nail-biting victory in the opening clash of the BBL 2017 in the Sydney Derby by 5 wickets in the final delivery of the match. Despite a valiant effort from the Sixers bowlers, they were unable to take the wickets at crucial junctures which eventually allowed the Thunders to run away with the game. They made it a bit tough in the end but with one required of the final delivery, everyone would have backed the Thunders to win the clash.

Sydney Thunder skipper Shane Watson won the toss and put the Sixers in. Openers Jason Roy and Daniel Hughes walked out in the middle to begin proceedings. Hughes struck some delightful shots to open his account but his partner Jason Roy was dismissed pretty cheaply on 2. Out came Nic Maddinson and the big fellow struck some big shots to get going.

Also Read: Ranji Trophy 2017: Delhi Reaches Final, Vidarbha Takes Lead on Day Three

He struck 31 before getting dismissed. None of the batsmen could convert their starts into a big one. Sam Billings also struck 32 of 21 deliveries which included a couple of fours and six. Leggie Fawad Ahmed was the pick of the Thunders bowler as he finished with exceptional figures of 2/11 in 4 overs. Arjun Nair and Mitchell McClenaghan also chipped in with a couple of wickets to restrict the Sixers to a manageable total of 149 runs.

The Thunders lost their opening wicket pretty cheaply as Jos Buttler didn’t bother the scorers but from there on the onus was on the Thunders skipper to do the job for his franchise and he did that in style. Along with Kurtis Patterson, the duo shared a superb stand for the 2^nd wicket which got them closer to the target.

Also Read: Sydney Thunder beat Sixers by Five Wickets in an Exciting Encounter

He smashed the Sixers bowlers all round the stadium and deposited them out of the park on 6 occasions. He also struck 6 fours during his knock of 77 of 46 deliveries. Following his wicket, the Thunders got themselves into trouble but eventually, Arjun Nair and Aiden Blizzard struck some good shots towards the fag end of the innings to help the Thunders chase the total down. Daniel Sams was the pick of the Sixers bowler bagging 4 wickets.

Twitter was pretty active during the match and here are some of the best tweets from the opening match of the 2017-18 BBL season.

https://twitter.com/ItsAnishM/status/943113926190891008

https://twitter.com/LateMailTips/status/943087840249835584

Umpires wearing helmets in the big bash?!?!?!? #<!---->B<!---->B<!---->L

— James Warrington (@JamesWoz) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->7

One run off one ball @<!---->T<!---->h<!---->u<!---->n<!---->d<!---->e<!---->r<!---->B<!---->B<!---->L #<!---->B<!---->B<!---->L #<!---->B<!---->B<!---->L<!---->0<!---->7 ? p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->2<!---->9<!---->0<!---->i<!---->X<!---->B<!---->k<!---->q<!---->3<!---->P

— Burnie08mac (@burnie08mac) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->7

Change of innings in #<!---->B<!---->B<!---->L & my mind wanders to the job Dylan Grimes did on Greene in the prelim.
Bloody legend. #<!---->g<!---->o<!---->t<!---->i<!---->g<!---->e<!---->s

— Simon Wallace (@rfcswallace) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->7

Australian pundit logic:
Spinners getting wickets in the #<!---->B<!---->B<!---->L: 'Fantastic bowling, best spinner in the world.'
Spinners getting wickets in the IPL: 'That's what happens when you play on dustbowls.'

— Gautam (@gautammahajan11) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->7

Arjun Nair a special talent. Good to see him bowling with plenty of confidence #<!---->B<!---->B<!---->L

— Jacob Kuriype (@JacobKuriype) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->7

You beauty, what a way to start the @<!---->B<!---->B<!---->L season! Great win for the @<!---->T<!---->h<!---->u<!---->n<!---->d<!---->e<!---->r<!---->B<!---->B<!---->L! #<!---->B<!---->B<!---->L #<!---->B<!---->B<!---->L<!---->0<!---->7 #<!---->S<!---->y<!---->d<!---->n<!---->e<!---->y<!---->S<!---->m<!---->a<!---->s<!---->h #<!---->T<!---->h<!---->u<!---->n<!---->d<!---->e<!---->r<!---->N<!---->a<!---->t<!---->i<!---->o<!---->n

— Kaylee Shepheard (@kayleeshepheard) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->7

Sams has had a hell of a debut. Been very effective when containing the Thunder run rate. 3rd Wicket for the debutant.#<!---->B<!---->B<!---->L<!---->0<!---->7 #<!---->S<!---->y<!---->d<!---->n<!---->e<!---->y<!---->S<!---->m<!---->a<!---->s<!---->h #<!---->B<!---->B<!---->L

— Paul Persic (@Paul_Persic97) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->7

Just nice to see Spotless with actual people in it #<!---->B<!---->B<!---->L

— Tombos2Cents (@Tombos2Cents) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->7

Also Read: Rohit Sharma’s Wife Congratulates Him For His Rise in the Latest ICC ODI Rankings for Batsmen