Sydney Thunder 156 for 4 (Warner 86*; Richardson 1-24) won Melbourne Renegades 148 times 8 (Evans 40; Hagar 4-32, Sams 2-26)
David Warner hit his highest BBL score in 13 years to lead the Sydney Thunder to an eight-run victory over Melbourne Renegades on Monday.
Low on runs early in the tournament, Warner returned to form with an unbeaten 86 off 57 balls to guide Thunder to 156 for 4. Wes Agar then claimed 4 for 32 to restrict Renegades to 148 for 8, as Thunder got their first victory in their Engie stadium in 734 days.
The result lifted Thunder to second place in the BBL table behind city rivals Sydney Sixers, while Renegades dropped to third place with a 2-2 record.
Renegades’ defeat came despite Will Sutherland making what could well be the catch of the summer to dismiss Sam Billings (10) in what was shaping up to be a crucial moment in the game. Playing at mid-wicket, Sutherland ran five meters to his right and leaped towards the boundary to claim a one-handed perch. What made the catch even more impressive was that Billings had hit the ball hard and flat, leaving Sutherland little time to react.
Billings’ departure left the Thunder 87 for 4 in the 14th over and struggling to record a competitive score.
But that’s when Warner took over.
After being 43 for 38 at the time of Billings’ dismissal, Warner scored his next 43 runs off 19 balls as he became more inventive and more powerful. His best shot came when he tried to back-sweep Adam Zampa, realized the ball was too short and then steadied himself to hit a switch-hitting drive for six.
Another maximum came in the next over when he picked up quick Fergus O’Neill, before turning the next ball for four.
Warner scored the BBL’s first century in the second match played in the competition in 2011-12. He played only three games in the first ten seasons, but Monday’s score was his highest since his return to the BBL in 2023.
While Warner took control of the Thunder’s innings to give them a 3-1 record to start the season, no one was able to do the same for the Stars. Josh Brown fell twice before falling for 22, while fellow opener Jake Fraser-McGurk faced 27 balls for his 26 before returning one to Chris Green.
Agar then broke the back of the Renegades’ batting, removing Mackenzie Harvey and Sutherland in successive balls. And although Laurie Evans gave Renegades some late hope, Agar caught him behind on 40 to effectively end the chase at the end of the 18th over.
