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The team with the worst record in the history of English Twenty20 beat the team with the best as Derbyshire upset defending NatWest Blast champions Lancashire at Old Trafford

ECB Reporters Network21-May-2016
ScorecardHamish Rutherford smacked 71 off 40 balls•Getty Images

The team with the worst record in the history of English Twenty20 beat the team with the best as Derbyshire upset defending NatWest Blast champions Lancashire at Old Trafford.The Falcons swooped on a nine-wicket win with 32 balls to spare, chasing down 132 in this 19-over contest following an impressive bowling and fielding display, which included two wickets for overseas debutant Jimmy Neesham.Liam Livingstone and Arron Lilley were both run out going for two late in Lancashire’s modest 131 for 7 after rain delayed the start by 75 minutes.Neesham’s fellow New Zealander Hamish Rutherford then led the chase with a blistering unbeaten 71 off 40 balls with six fours and three sixes.Prior to this North Group opener, Derbyshire had only won a total of 39 matches in 13 seasons compared to Lancashire’s 84.Lancashire included former captain Tom Smith in their line-up following 13 months away from first-team action with a career threatening back injury and more recent hamstring problems. But, after two fours in his nine off eight balls, he chipped Neesham’s seamers to mid-on as the innings struggled for momentum against some excellent pace off the ball bowling.Neesham later trapped home captain Steven Croft lbw for a top-score of 31, while Livingstone was the only other batsman to pass 20 after Derbyshire elected to field first.Neesham finished with 2 for 38 from his four overs added to wickets for Shiv Thakor, Andy Carter and Alex Hughes.Although going wicketless, Preston-born leg-spinner Matt Critchley was excellent through the middle of the innings in only conceding 19 runs from his four overs. Lancashire failed to score a boundary from the fourth ball of the fifth over to the fourth ball of the 13th.Captain Wes Durston got Derbyshire’s chase off to a flyer with four fours and a six over wide long-on off Neil Wagner in the first two overs.The hosts also lost Gavin Griffiths to a finger injury after bowling just one ball – sustained whilst trying to take a sharp return catch from Rutherford’s bat at the start of the third over when he was on 1.Durston was the only wicket to fall, early in the fourth when he skied George Edwards to mid-off, but he had scored 30 out of 38 by then.Rutherford continued the assault to take his side beyond 50 in the fifth over before hoisting Edwards over long-on for six in the next. The left-hander hit two more sixes over long-on in the eighth and ninth overs, off Stephen Parry and Lilley, on the way to a 24-ball fifty.Rutherford was well supported by another of Derbyshire’s Kiwi contingent, Neil Broom, as they shared an unbroken 94 inside eleven overs for the second wicket.

Hosts Bangladesh will take on defending champions South Africa in the opening game of the Under-19 World Cup in Chittagong on January 27 next year

Mohammad Isam07-Dec-2015Hosts Bangladesh will take on defending champions South Africa in the opening game of the Under-19 World Cup in Chittagong on January 27 next year. The match is one of 20 games that will be broadcast live, compared to 11 matches telecast during the 2014 competition in the UAE. The tournament final will be played in Dhaka on February 14.Sixteen teams will participate in the tournament including six qualifiers – Scotland, Namibia, Afghanistan, Canada, Fiji and Nepal – across eight venues in Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet and Cox’s Bazar. Group D looks the most notable of the four groups as Australia, India, New Zealand and Nepal will compete for two knockout berths.Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara and Bangladesh fast bowlers Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed attended the tournament launch programme in Dhaka on Monday, along with BCB president Nazmul Hassan and ICC general manager Geoff Allardice.

The pools

Group A: Bangladesh, South Africa, Namibia, Scotland
Group B: Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Canada
Group C: England, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Fiji
Group D: Australia, India, New Zealand, Nepal

Sangakkara joked he wasn’t “good enough” to play in the U-19 World Cup all those years ago, but identified the importance of the tournament for the transition of young players into international cricket.”I watched a lot of players around the world who played in the U-19 World Cup,” Sangakkara said. “It is great to see talent being recognised at a very young age and then get the exposure at an international stage to showcase their skills. It introduces them to professionalism, structure and the expectations of what they should be doing to step up to the international level.”Allardice recognised Bangladesh – who are hosting the event for the second time – as an ideal candidate in terms of amenities, especially with the addition of two stadiums in Cox’s Bazar for this tournament.”It is a very important tournament for the ICC. It is the aspiration of every young cricketer to make it to their U-19 national team,” Allardice said. “Nine of the ten Test captains have played in the U-19 World Cup at some stage.”I think the global nature of this tournament is important for cricket. It tends to expose the young players to the world stage. They are also exposed to education programmes like anti-corruption and anti-doping.”One of the things about the U-19 World Cup is to find a host city or country that has sufficient match and training facilities to host the 16 teams. Bangladesh ticks all the boxes in that regard. We hosted 26 teams in the ICC World T20 in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet and this time we are also playing in Cox’s Bazar.”BCB chief Hassan said he was confident of the competition’s success. “Bangladesh has a proud history of hosting ICC events,” he said. “This is the second Under-19 World Cup that Bangladesh will be hosting. Given the passion and enthusiasm with which we organise and follow cricket, I am confident this tournament will also be successful.”

Australia’s selectors will be compelled to consider the position of Shane Watson and are also likely to have to draft in Peter Siddle to replace Mitchell Starc for the Lord’s Test

Daniel Brettig in Cardiff11-Jul-2015Australia’s selectors will be compelled to consider the position of Shane Watson and are also likely to have to draft in Peter Siddle to replace Mitchell Starc for the Lord’s Test, though it is now unlikely that the left-arm new ball bowler will have to be sent home for treatment to an ankle injury.The captain Michael Clarke, who said his side needed to treat their unexpected 169-run hiding at English hands in the same manner they did a loss to New Zealand midway through their ultimately successful World Cup campaign, admitted that Watson would be under the selection spotlight after he fell twice lbw for scores of 30 and 19, a worryingly repetitive set of results for the allrounder.There was an element of sad theatre about Watson’s dismissal lbw to Mark Wood, followed by a referral made largely because he was the last remaining specialist batsman at the crease. To widespread cheers around the ground he appealed against Kumar Dharmasena’s decision, only to be sent on his way by the ball-tracker. Watson looked wistful as he wandered off the ground, and it is debatable whether he can keep his place for Lord’s when his claims are lined up against those of the younger Mitchell Marsh.”He’s been a very important senior player and all-round player,” Clarke said of Watson’s past contributions to the side. “Someone who can bat and bowl is always a great weapon to have in your team. Watto, like the rest of us, I’m sure the selectors will sit down and talk about each individual player as they do after every game. We obviously didn’t perform anywhere near as well as we want to or need to, to have success here.”Shane is an extremely hard worker, he wants to have success like the rest of it. I think it’s the hardest part of this game – the longer you play the more ups and downs you go through. Through the good times you’ve got to try and ride that wave for as long as possible because you know the longer you player there’s the other side as well.”When things aren’t going to plan you’ve got to stick to your processes, work hard, cop a few smacks on the chin and keep backing your own ability. I think that’s exactly what Watto is doing. He’s been a big part of the Australian cricket team in all three formats and has had a lot of success as well in all three formats.”Starc needed painkillers to get through the match with the ball after suffering an ankle problem on the first day, and Clarke said the fact he had been able to bowl suggested he was not completely out of contention for the second Test. However, Siddle was clearly being primed for a second Test inclusion, having been the outstanding bowler in the nets ahead of this match.”I think the positive is the fact that he was able to bowl in that second innings and still pick up wickets,” Clarke said. “He just walked out and batted and ran between the wickets fine. The concern is obviously how close the second Test match is away but the medical team and the selectors will assess Starcy over the next few days and they’ll make whatever they feel is the best decision for the team.”Clarke admitted the match had confounded his expectations, but looked back to the loss against New Zealand at Eden Park during the World Cup group stage – something that was turned around dramatically in the tournament final – as proof the Australians could regather themselves and regain the ascendancy over a younger England XI.”I certainly didn’t come here expecting to lose, that’s for sure,” he said. “I think you have to respect and credit England with the way they played. From ball one I thought their performance with the bat in the first innings set the game up for them. I think their discipline with their execution on that wicket with the ball and then they held onto their chances – it’s a good way to set up a victory.”If you’re doing those three things pretty well you’re generally winning a lot of Test matches. We need to improve in all three areas and I look forward to Lord’s. I don’t want us to change the way we play. I like each individual player backing themselves and playing the way we have done over the past few years which has given us success.”The advantage and the positive for us is we’re only four days away from the second Test. I think that’s a good thing for this team. All the boys now, like losing to New Zealand in the World Cup gave us a bit of a kick up the backside, they’ll probably see this game very similar. This gives us a bit of a kick up the backside and we look forward to this second Test match.”Aside from Watson and Starc, Brad Haddin also endured a poor match, which began with the drop of Joe Root on the first morning and ended with an ugly smear at Moeen Ali to be caught by England’s captain Alastair Cook. Despite a meagre recent record as a batsman and emerging flaws in his glove work, it appears unlikely Haddin’s place will be taken away from him before the destiny of the Ashes is decided.

Ajit Chandila, the Rajasthan Royals spinner who was arrested on May 16 for alleged spot-fixing in the IPL, has said he is innocent and was “never approached”

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Aug-2013Ajit Chandila, the Rajasthan Royals spinner who was arrested on May 16 for alleged spot-fixing in the IPL, has said he is innocent and was “never approached”. Chandila, who was arrested along with Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and several bookies, was reportedly out on interim bail from August 3 to 5 for his brother’s funeral.”I have no clue about the spot-fixing controversy. I have never been approached by anybody,” Chandila told . “People have seen my performance in last two seasons of the IPL. I am clean and I trust the judiciary.”Chandila was one of 39 persons named by Delhi Police in the chargesheet they filed on the case on July 30. The players were charged under sections 420 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code – which deal with fraud, cheating and criminal conspiracy – and provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), a special law passed by the Maharashtra provincial government to tackle organised crime syndicates and terrorism that contains far stricter provisions relating to bail.He was “shocked” by the charges, Chandila said. “My family and I are in a state of shock that such charges are being levelled against me. I am a cricketer not a terrorist.”My family has suffered a lot, and my brother was hospitalised the day I was arrested. But I have the support of my family. And soon, people will know the truth. I am innocent. I will make a comeback soon.”While Sreesanth and Chavan had applied for bail – which Delhi Police now wants cancelled – and were released from jail on June 11, Chandila had not applied for bail before.

Alastair Cook and Andy Flower insisted their tactics had been “vindicated” after England won the second Test against New Zealand by 247 runs to clinch a 2-0 series victory.

George Dobell28-May-2013Alastair Cook and Andy Flower insisted their tactics had been “vindicated” after England won the second Test against New Zealand by 247 runs to clinch a 2-0 series victory.While Cook admitted he endured some nervous moments waiting for the rain to clear, he also defended his decision not to enforce the follow-on and to delay his declaration until after lunch on day four. By then England had a lead of 467 and meteorologists were warning that the fifth day could be severely curtailed by rain.So it proved, too, with only 45 minutes possible before lunch and play not resuming until 3pm. But it was long enough for England to claim the final four wickets they required to secure victory.”The result definitely vindicates the decision,” Cook said. “There is absolutely no doubt about that at all. To win by 250 runs is a good win and in just over three days cricket effectively, it is an outstanding performance. You are judged as a captain on results. In this game we have won by 250 runs.”I would not say it was a sleepless night but we were praying for an opportunity to get enough time to go out there and win the game. Clearly, I woke up this morning and the first thing I did was look out the window. We knew rain was about but we thought there would be a few windows of opportunity.”While there was much to celebrate for England – the form and fitness of Graeme Swann, the hostility of Steven Finn and the batting of Joe Root and Cook – one or two areas of concern remain.The form of Nick Compton, 39 runs in four innings this series, was a disappointment and debate over his position will continue. With Kevin Pietersen back in training and likely to return to the middle order for the Ashes, moving Root to open is one option that is sure to be discussed in the coming weeks.Neither Cook nor Flower would commit to Compton’s selection for the Ashes, but Cook did admit that changing such “an important position” ahead of such high-profile games would constitute “a risk”.”He’s struggled in these few Tests, certainly,” Flower added. “The Ashes is quite a long way away. Let’s allow the dust to settle on this series. Then we’ll chat about the line-up and the conditions and the opposition.”He’s got to go away, get back into form and score some heavy runs for Somerset. He goes back into a couple of one-day games. Hopefully the one-day games will be good for him. He can go out and enjoy hitting the ball. That will be the catalyst for him going into the first-class game feeling confident.”Flower, in particular, appeared to take exception to the line of questioning from some media following the game. Talking to the BBC, he said: “I thought it was a very good performance by our side. We won by over 200 runs. Cook scored another hundred. He has 25 Test hundreds; more than Viv Richards or Greg Chappell. Swann is back in form and his elbow has come through surgery recently. The two young Yorkshire guys have had a great game. Finn on a flat deck has bowled outstandingly well. Those are all things that I’d prefer to focus on than some of the negative things you mention.”But both Cook and Flower admitted there were some areas where England could have performed a little better. While Cook referred to criticism of Trott’s sedate progress on the third evening, 11 in 69 balls despite England beginning their second innings with a lead of 180, as “nit-picking”, Flower accepted that “he could have been more urgent”.”We had a great example of running between the wickets and the right sort of balance between defence and attack and urgency from the two young Yorkshire guys in the first innings,” Flower said. “They batted beautifully. Trott could have learned a little from those two. But the following morning he put us in a great position to win the game.”Flower and Cook justified the decision not to enforce the follow-on, believing the wicket would only deteriorate as the match progressed. “We chose to bat again and get well ahead of them,” Flower agreed. “We thought we would have enough time on a wearing pitch to take the last 10 wickets and that’s how it proved.”The start of the final day was noticeable for Flower remonstrating with the groundstaff to remove the covers more quickly.”I shouldn’t be out there doing the officials’ job,” Flower said. “It wasn’t raining so I’m not sure why the covers weren’t being removed. I don’t understand why it took so long to get the game started, regardless of the position that we were in. The officials have a responsibility to get the game going when conditions suit and it wasn’t raining. The lack of activity was baffling.”But in general, Flower was in the mood to celebrate the encouraging performances of Swann and the two young local batsmen, Root and Jonny Bairstow.”Swann bowled superbly in the first innings; the ball came out of his hand absolutely beautifully,” Flower said. “I didn’t actually think he bowled as well in the second innings. I don’t think he was quite comfortable with the ball. But he still took 6 for 90 and turned the match our way. I’m very encouraged by the way he’s bowling and very happy for him that his elbow has come through surgery as well as it has. He’s been really dedicated and disciplined in the way he’s rehabilitated his elbow and he seems in better physical condition than he has been for a while.”Root looks an excellent cricketer. His decision making in the middle; his balance has been excellent so far. It was great to see him get a hundred on his home ground and it was nice to see the enthusiasm and passion the Yorkshire supporters showed Joe.”It was also great to see Bairstow bat with him. I know how happy Jonny was for Joe to get that 100, which was really nice to see. They are both good young men. Very different characters. But hopefully they will both have very successful England careers.”

Scotland’s selectors have named a 15-man squad for the ICC World Cricket League Division 1, to be held in the Netherlands from June 30 to July 10

Cricinfo staff04-Jun-2010Scotland’s selectors have named a 15-man squad for the ICC World Cricket League Division 1, to be held in the Netherlands from June 30 to July 10. The emphasis is on youth, as the squad has nine players aged 25 or under, but Fraser Watts’s excellent recent form in the domestic leagues has also earned him a place.Gavin Hamilton and Ryan Watson are both unavailable due to work commitments, while Freddie Coleman is taking time off in the lead-up to the event to concentrate on finishing his school term. This gives opportunities to young batsmen Ewan Chalmers, Preston Mommsen and Josh Davey, who have also been included in the squad to take on the hosts in a four-day Intercontinental Cup and one-day international match prior to the tournanment.”The World Cricket League will be a highly-competitive event, and it gives our players an excellent opportunity to test themselves against the other leading Associates,” said Peter Steindl, Scotland’s head coach. “We have picked the squad with the future as well as the present in mind, so I am looking forward to seeing how the players cope with the tournament environment.”Scotland squad: Gordon Drummond (capt), Richie Berrington, Josh Davey, Ewan Chalmers, Gordon Goudie, Majid Haq, Omer Hussain, Neil Laidlaw, Dougie Lockhart, Ross Lyons, Gregor Maiden, Neil McCallum, Preston Mommsen, Matthew Parker, Fraser Watts

Usman Khawaja hopes to start forging something good with Sam Konstas in the West Indies in the lead up to the Ashes

Andrew McGlashan24-Jun-20251:10

Head not fazed by big-name absences

Usman Khawaja won’t overstay his welcome in the Australia team but is adamant he has more to contribute and sees a significant role for himself in helping nurture Sam Konstas on his return to Test cricket against West Indies.Khawaja scored a career-best double-century earlier this year against Sri Lanka but his form returned to the spotlight with twin failures against Kagiso Rabada in the World Test Championship final. That continued a trend of lean returns against pace bowling following the challenges posed by Jasprit Bumrah last season and New Zealand’s quicks earlier in 2024. However, speaking after Lord’s, head coach Andrew McDonald all but confirmed that Khawaja’s position was secure for the Ashes later this year.Khawaja, who was the second-highest-scoring opener in the last WTC cycle, behind Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Australia’s leading scorer overall, stands by his longer-term record and believes any downturn is more a symptom of his role in the side at a time when top-order batting has been a challenging prospect. Since the start of 2024 he averages 25.29 against pace, only a little below the global average of all openers of 27.84, compared to 65.80 against spin.Related

• McDonald asks for 'a bit of patience' as spotlight remains firmly on Konstas

• Australia's new-look batting order 'prepared for anything'

• Konstas keen to settle into Test cricket

• Voges backs Inglis as top-four Test batter

“I can’t understand how I can [have a problem against seam bowling] if I can score so many runs in [Sheffield] Shield cricket or be the highest run-scorer for Australia in the WTC cycle,” he said in Barbados ahead of the opening Test. “I open the batting for Australia. So I get out to seam more than I get out to anyone else. It’s just part and parcel of the game.”I wish I could face more spinners, but you don’t always get that opportunity. So, I’m facing the new-ball bowlers with the new ball every single time. I went back from Sri Lanka to domestic cricket and scored a hundred against Tasmania. I pretty much faced seam the whole time there [and] against Riley Meredith, who is one of the fastest bowlers in the country.””I understand I’m 38 years old. People will be looking for an excuse. [But] I think I’ve got a role to play: open the batting, starting off, and setting a good platform for Australia.”Since David Warner’s retirement in early 2024, Khawaja has had five opening partners: Steven Smith, Nathan McSweeney, Konstas, Travis Head and, latterly, Marnus Labuschagne in the WTC final. Khawaja spoke of the rapport he built with Warner in their 41 innings together at the top, which included almost a sixth sense of what the other was thinking – “I knew when and where he was going to drop and run a quick single, and I was ready for it” – and hoped to start forging something similar with Konstas in the West Indies with an eye to the Ashes.”With young Sammy coming in, it’s an added role [for me],” he said. “To help Sammy along through his journey, trying to impart as much knowledge as I can. I won’t be around forever. But it’s very important that I can do whatever I can, obviously first and foremost, [to] have a solid partnership between us but then bit of stability at the top [and] also guide him through this journey. He’s still very young, he’s a 19-year-old boy, and it’s quite exciting.”There’s obviously this series and then a big Ashes coming up. [You] probably want a little bit of stability at the top. It’ll be tough to chop and change, and opening is a tough place. Mentally it can be very tough. Going out there against the new ball and sometimes just getting a good ball and low scores.Australia are hoping Sam Konstas is the answer to the spot left vacant by David Warner•Getty Images

“I’m just looking forward to playing with Sammy, as much as on the field as helping him off the field. I’ve been through a lot in my life, a lot of ups and downs. There are lots of things I’ve seen throughout my career and most of them are not technical. More mindset things. If I can help Sammy through this journey, especially over the next couple of series, try and impart as much knowledge I can to him.”The Sydney Test at the end of the Ashes is often referenced as a stepping-off point for Khawaja but, unlike Warner, he is not outlining a precise route to retirement. After the England series, Australia won’t play Tests again until Bangladesh visit for a series in the Top End in August.”For me, I feel like I have plenty to give still,” he said. “To be playing this series and the Ashes is the pinnacle. That’s the one we all love winning and being involved in… after that there is a bit of a gap between that and the next Test series. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there but for me it’s about making sure I stay in the moment. Because if I’m not in the moment, I don’t think I’m doing the right thing by myself and the team.”I’m not the guy who’s going, ‘I want to play for another ten years’. I’m very attuned to whatever is best for the team [and that] is what I’m trying to do. I’m not here for myself anymore. I’m here for the team. I could have stopped playing two years ago, really. But I found that I was still contributing, still trying to be the best player for the team at that opening spot, trying to do what I can do, [and] that hasn’t changed for me. When it does, you guys will surely find out.”

All the standout performances from Sunday’s WBBL action, including match-winning all-round efforts from Sophie Devine and Heather Graham

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Nov-2019Sophie Devine’s unbeaten 56-ball 85, featuring five sixes in the 20th over of the Adelaide Strikers,/b> innings, helped set up their 17-run win over Melbourne Stars at the Karen Rolton Oval.The 31-run last over, bowled by legspinner Madeline Penna, took Strikers to 164 for 4 after Devine – who became only the second player to achieve the WBBL career double of 1000 runs and 50 wickets – and compatriot Suzie Bates added 54 runs for the opening wicket.Devine’s onslaught not only spoiled Penna’s figures – until then, she had conceded only 19 in three overs – but also ensured Stars were set a target that would warrant substantial contributions from their batters. However, save for a 41-ball 52 and 51-ball 70 from the South African pair of Lizelle Lee and Mignon du Preez respectively, no Stars batter was able to get into double-digits.After Devine struck second ball of her opening spell, removing captain Ellyse Vilani for 1 in the second over, Lee and du Preez put on 112 runs for the second wicket. But Lee’s dismissal by Bates in the final ball of the 15th over triggered a collapse, during which the visitors lost seven wickets for 32 runs. Devine and Bates took two wickets apiece, while Amanda-Jade Wellington returned 3 for 31 to help Strikers climb to the top of the table as Stars remained stuck at the bottom.Molly Strano picked up the early wickets•Getty Images

Melbourne Renegades completed a double against Hobart Hurricanes at Junction Oval, a day after Renegades captain Jess Duffin had guided them to a win in a last-ball thriller against the same opponents.Renegades’ victory on Sunday, though, was starkly different: they beat Hurricanes by eight wickets with 26 balls to spare, thanks to a 62-run second-wicket stand between Tammy Beaumont and Danni Wyatt in a 109-run chase.Wyatt struck the winning single in the 16th over to complete an unbeaten 44-ball 54, in the company of Duffin, who finished on 6. Medium-pacer Belinda Vakarewa, who returned figures of 2 for 16 from her four overs, was the only Hurricanes bowler to be among the wickets, removing opener Sophie Molineux and then Beaumont for a 32-ball 37.With the bat, too, Hurricanes showed little spark. After being sent in, they lost their openers inside the first two overs, and only Heather Knight reached the 20-run mark. Five other batters got into double figures, but failed to convert them into substantial scores as Player of the Match Molly Strano returned her season best 3 for 19, ably supported by Molineux and Maitlan Brown, who gave away 24 and 19 runs respectively for two wickets apiece.Tahlia Wilson pulls out the sweep•Getty Images

Perth Scorchers, too, accomplished their second straight victory after Sydney Thunder fell short of a 152 chase by seven runs at the Karen Rolton Oval.That, despite losing the toss, Scorchers were able to post 151 for 5 was down, in part, to batters Georgia Redmayne, Natalie Sciver and Heather Graham, all of whom made 30-plus scores. The trio’s contribution came in the wake of openers Amy Jones and Meg Lanning falling to the fast-bowling tandem of Shabnim Ismail and Rene Farrell inside the powerplay.Redmayne (35 off 35) and Sciver (37 off 22) put on a 59-run third-wicket stand, but fell within five balls of each other. From 88 for 4, Graham lifted Scorchers past 150 with a 20-ball 33, which included two fours and as many sixes, aided by Nicole Bolton’s run-a-ball 16 and Jemma Barsby’s 7-ball 11.Solid contributions from the top four, including a 20-ball 30 from opener Naomi Stalenberg and a 27-ball 29 from No. 4 Alex Blackwell, meant Thunder needed 51 off 32. However, after Blackwell was dismissed by Kim Garth, Player of the Match Graham took the next threeThunder wickets in only eight balls across two overs, the slide leaving No. 3 batter Tahlia Wilson stranded on an unbeaten 39-ball 47, Scorchers clinching the game by seven runs.