Green’s Late Blitz Lifts Thunder to Shock Win Over Renegades

News Desk 

Islamabad: Chris Green’s explosive late hitting has powered the Sydney Thunder to a dramatic four-wicket upset victory over the Melbourne Renegades, dealing a major blow to the visitors’ Big Bash League finals hopes.

Chasing a DLS-adjusted target of 140 at Engie Stadium, the Thunder appeared in serious trouble at 6-95 after losing three wickets for 15 runs in the space of eight balls. Entering at No.8 under heavy pressure, Green turned the match on its head with a stunning counterattack.

Green launched Renegades seamer Gurinder Sandhu — the visitors’ most effective bowler on the night — for three consecutive sixes, swinging momentum sharply back in Thunder’s favour. The late assault ensured the hosts avoided what would have been a wooden-spoon-confirming defeat.

Unbeaten on 34 from just 13 deliveries, Green combined with Nic Maddinson (30 not out off 17 balls) in an unbroken 45-run stand for the seventh wicket to guide the Thunder to 6-140 with four balls to spare, sealing just their second win of the season.

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“It hasn’t been a great season for us,” Green said after the match. “It was really important to finish on a high. We spoke about hitting the middle of the bat and aiming at the sight screen. With the rain around, the ball was skidding on and flying when you got hold of it.”

Maddinson, who hit the winning runs to backward square leg, continued his encouraging return to cricket after overcoming testicular cancer during the off-season.

Earlier, the Renegades posted 8-170 from their 20 overs but were left to regret a damaging middle-overs collapse of 3-7 around the drinks break. A tactical decision to retire Mohammad Rizwan (26 off 23 balls) in pursuit of a faster finish also backfired, with replacement batter Will Sutherland run out backing up at the non-striker’s end.

Daniel Sams was credited with the dismissal after deflecting a shot from Hassan Khan (46) back onto the stumps, catching Sutherland out of his crease.

The loss leaves the seventh-placed Renegades’ finals prospects hanging by a thread. To qualify, they must win their final two matches and rely on multiple results going their way, including defeats for Brisbane Heat and Sydney Sixers. Even then, net run-rate could prove decisive.

The Thunder, meanwhile, face the Sixers on Friday in their final match of the season, needing victory to keep alive their hopes of avoiding a sixth wooden spoon in 15 BBL campaigns.