MLR vs SYT Ball by Ball Commentary

11:31 AM IST That's all from this game! Sydney Thunder put in a terrific performance to win their second game in a row. Melbourne Renegades will be disappointed with theri performance. We have a double header coming up on Friday, the 20th of December. First up is Hobart Hurricanes facing Sydney Sixers at 1315 Local (0345 GMT) followed by Brisbane Heat going up against Melbourne Stars. Until then, cheers.

11:28 AM IST ALEX HALES GETS PLAYER OF THE MATCH. He starts by saying that it's been a good start for the Thunder. Tells that the spinners did a brilliant job for them in the first innings. Mentions that Chris Morris will join the squad soon. Tells that he has been looking forward to coming matches.

11:27 AM IST Melbourne Renegades did not bowl well at all in the start. They were taken apart by Khawaja and Hales but the late wicket of Alex Hales triggered a collapse of some sort. They made a comeback in the last few overs bowling economically and picking up few wickets but in the end it was too late. But have to give credit to the fight shown by the Renegades.

11:25 AM IST A terrific chase from Thunder sees them get their second win on the trot. Even though, they lost a few wickets in the end but by that time the game was in their hands. They would have been very disappointed if they had not finished the game when they needed just 24 runs from the last four overs. Usman Khawaja and Alex Hales started brilliantly. Both got to their respective fifties and then Khawaja holed out. Hales though continued on his merry way and got them closer to the target. His wicket triggered a bit of a collapse. Gilkes run out in the final over put some nerves inside the dugout but Ross finished things off in style.

11:24 AM IST FOUR! Drilled down the ground and that is more than enough! Second win for the Thunder's in as many games. Full ball just outside off, Ross slams it past the bowler and into the long fence. SYDNEY THUNDER WIN BY SIX WICKETS.

11:23 AM IST OUT! RUN OUT! Gilkes has to go and the Renegades will think they are in with a chance. Bouncer down the leg side, Gilkes goes for the pull but misses. The non-striker though takes off to steal the bye. Harper though is aware and he throws the ball back to the bowler quickly. Gleeson collects and hits the stumps with an underarm throw. The umpire takes it upstairs. Here comes the replay, Gilkes is short of the crease and he has to depart.

11:21 AM IST A run out appeal has been taken upstairs. Gilkes is the man in question. He looks out and Gilkes will have to go.

11:19 AM IST Low full toss outside off, Ross drills it to long on for a single. 3 more needed.

11:19 AM IST WIDE! Poor line! Not what Finch and Renegades need at this moment. Gleeson looks for the yorker but ends up spraying it down the leg side. Called wide.

11:17 AM IST Good length ball on off, Gilkes taps it through point and takes a single.

11:17 AM IST Richard Gleeson, the new recruit, will bowl the last over. Can he do something special?

11:16 AM IST Fuller and outisde off, driven through covers for a single by Gilkes. 6 from 6 needed.

11:16 AM IST Full and on off, pushed down the ground gently and a quick couple.

11:15 AM IST Yorker this time, Ross jams it towards cover and takes a single.

11:15 AM IST Slower and outside off on a length, Ross drives but he is early in the shot. Beaten.

11:15 AM IST FOUR! Poor fielding and this can cost the Renegades big time. A full ball around off, Ross drives it through point where Finch is lazy in getting down and it sneaks through for a boundary.

11:14 AM IST Full toss on the pads, Gilkes looks to flick but the ball hits the pads and rolls towards square leg for a leg bye.

11:12 AM IST Full and around off, driven to long off for a single. Just 5 and a wicket, a brilliant over from Richardson. 15 needed in the final 2.

11:11 AM IST Another play and a miss! Third from the over. A fuller ball and outside off, Gilkes drives again but makes no connection.

11:11 AM IST Shortish length ball on middle, Gilkes tucks it towards mid-wicket and picks a couple of runs.

11:10 AM IST Another good ball. Full and outside off, Gilkes once again drives away from the body to get beaten.

11:10 AM IST Full and outside off, Gilkes drives away from the body to get beaten.

11:09 AM IST Dropped! Sam Harper is the man who drops it. It is never easy, catching these high balls under light. A length ball on middle, Gilkes looks to slog it but the ball take the outside edge and goes high in the night sky. Harper runs behind by keeping his eyes on the ball. However, at the end, he is not sure which side the ball and ends up spilling it.

11:08 AM IST Kane Richardson is back on. 3-0-13-0 are his figures so far.

11:08 AM IST Full again and on the pads, Gilkes looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards square leg and the batters take a keg bye.

11:07 AM IST Slower one on middle, Gilkes looks to defend but the ball takes the leading edge and goes towards Finch at covers but it lands just short.

11:07 AM IST Shortish around off, tapped through point for a single.

11:06 AM IST Appeal for caught behind down the leg side but response from the umpire is wide. Gurney sprays down the leg side. Ross goes for the pull but misses.

11:06 AM IST Good length ball around off, tapped towards cover.

11:05 AM IST Alex Ross replaces Alex Hales out in the middle.

11:04 AM IST OUT! Hales departs! Nice shot but straight to Richardson at deep mid-wicket. A full ball on middle, Hales whips it nicely but it goes straight to Richardson. Can the Renegades make a comeback from here?

11:03 AM IST Gurney starts with a slower ball on middle, Gilkes waits and then tucks it towards long on for a single.

11:03 AM IST Harry Gurney is into the attack. 2-1-15-1

11:02 AM IST FOUR! Make that three in a row and 20 from the over. What a shot. A full ball on middle, Hales hammers it to the mid-wicket fence this time. Just 24 needed for the Thunder now to register their second win of the tournament.

11:00 AM IST FOUR! Now, down the ground! Brilliant batting. 16 off the over already. A full ball around off, Hales just drills it to the left of the bowler and into the long off fence. No chance for anyone.

11:00 AM IST FOUR! Misfield and four. The effort will not please the bowler and captain. A fuller ball outside off, Hales reaches out and carves to sweeper cover where the fielder misfields and allows the ball to go through.

10:59 AM IST SIX! Massive, just hammered it! On a length around off and middle, Hales whacks it over the deep square leg fence for a massive biggie.

10:59 AM IST Fuller and on off, Gilkes pushes it for a single through covers.

10:58 AM IST Fifty for Hales. Started slowly but he is looking brilliant at the moment. Can he take his side home? Fuller and on off, tucked towards mid-wicket for a single.

10:57 AM IST Daniel Christian is back on. He gave away 11 runs in his first over.

10:56 AM IST Shortish and just around off, Gilkes cuts but finds the point fielder.

10:56 AM IST Good length around off, Gilkes pushes it towards third man uppishly and scampers back for a couple.

10:55 AM IST Fuller and around off, Gilkes guides it through point and picks a couple of runs.

10:55 AM IST Shortish around off, tapped towards point.

10:54 AM IST Good length ball on middle, Gilkes works it towards mid on.

10:54 AM IST Matthew Gilkes is in next.

10:53 AM IST OUT! Gleeson strikes and roars! It is the massive wicket of Renegades' skipper. A good length ball on middle and leg, Ferguson looks to clip it on the leg side but gets hit on the pads. The bowler appeals and the umpire raises the finger after taking his time. The replays roll in and confirm that it was clipping top of middle and leg.

10:52 AM IST Richard Gleeson is back into the attack.

10:51 AM IST SIX! That has been dispatched! Floated ball on middle, Hales smacks it over the mid-wicket region for a maximum. 48 required from 36 balls.

10:50 AM IST FOUR! Poor bowling! Full delivery on middle, Hales stands tall and thrashes it over the bowler's head for another boundary.

10:49 AM IST On middle, worked to the leg side for another single.

10:49 AM IST Tossed up on middle, Hales comes forward and plays it to long on for a single.

10:48 AM IST FOUR! Need more of these does Thunder! Floated ball outside off, Hales leans forward and hammers the drive through extra covers for a boundary.

10:48 AM IST Tosses this up on middle and leg, Ferguson whips it to deep square leg and picks up a single.

10:48 AM IST Cameron Boyce to bowl out.

10:47 AM IST On off, pushed to point for a quick single.

10:46 AM IST Short ball outside off, Ferguson punches it to cover for nothing.

10:46 AM IST Full delivery on middle, Hales drives it uppishly to long on for a single.

10:45 AM IST Good length ball on middle, Ferguson whips it to the leg side for a single. Gets off the mark.

10:45 AM IST Brilliant effort from Marsh in the deep! A short ball on middle, Hales goes for the pull. He connects it well but Marsh jumps and takes the catch. However, knowing that the momentum will take him over the ropes, he throws the ball inside the play. Just a single.

10:44 AM IST Fuller and on off, Hales drives it through covers and picks a couple of runs.

10:43 AM IST Shortish length ball on middle, Ferguson works it towards mid-wicket.

10:43 AM IST Jack Wildermuth is back on.

10:42 AM IST Callum Ferguson, the skipper, is the new man in.

10:41 AM IST OUT! Khawaja departs and a massive for the Thunders this one. Gurney deceives him with a slower one outside off, Khawaja looks to drive but ends up chipping it to Finch at cover who grabs the chance nicely to send the opener packing. Thunder need 71 more runs from 49 balls.

10:40 AM IST Around off, tapped to point for a single.

10:40 AM IST FOUR! Another one off the edge! Shortish and closer to off pole line, Hales once again goes for the cut short.

10:40 AM IST Edgy four this time! Another shortish ball just outside off, Hales goes for the cut but the ball takes the top edge and goes to the third man fence.

10:39 AM IST Shortish ball outside off, Hales slashes hard but misses.

10:37 AM IST The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total. A very good over for the Thunders.

10:37 AM IST Short and around off, tapped towards point for a single.

10:36 AM IST FOUR! A poor ball and it gets the treatment. A short ball on middle, Khawaja pulls it to deep mid-wicket fence.

10:36 AM IST SIX! Just over the ropes! A full ball in the slots of Khawaja, he sits down and hammers it over mid-wicket for a biggie. His first in the innings and Thunders would hope he smashes a few more.

10:35 AM IST Fuller and around off, Khawaja lofts it wide of mid off. It is going towards the fence but Richardson from long off intervenes with a slide and keeps it to a couple.

10:34 AM IST Flighted and outside off, Khawaja goes for the revesrse sweep and connects it well. A couple as Kane Richardson in the deep makes a good sliding stop.

10:33 AM IST Full and outside off, Khawaja drills it to long off for a single.

10:33 AM IST Fifty for Khawaja. He is doing a brilliant job and would look to take his side home. Fuller ball around middle and leg, Khawaja flicks it fine towards the leg side and picks a couple.

10:32 AM IST FOUR! Nicely done! Full and on the pads, Khawaja flicks it to the fine leg fence.

10:32 AM IST Now Hales slips! Slower one around off on a length, Hales tucks it wide of long on and takes off. He thinks that a couple is on but as soon as he reaches at the non-striker's end, he slips. Looks okay though.

10:31 AM IST WIDE! Christian sprays down the leg side. Hales goes for the flick but only connects with air. Wided by the umpire.

10:30 AM IST Short and outside off, Khawaja taps it through cover-point and takes a single.

10:30 AM IST Full and on the pads, Hales tucks it towards deep square leg for a single.

10:29 AM IST Daniel Christian is up now.

10:27 AM IST Around off, pushed towards cover-point for a single. Another excellent over from Boyce. Just 10 from his two so far. Renegades need 107 off 66 balls.

10:27 AM IST Full and on middle, Hales drills it towards long on where Christian fumbles and allows a couple.

10:26 AM IST Full and on off, Khawaja sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

10:26 AM IST Full and outside off this time, Khawaja goes for the reverse sweep but does not connect.

10:25 AM IST Full and on off, pushed for a single through cover.

10:25 AM IST Good fielding on his own followthrough. Boyce gives this one a lot of air and pitches it on off, Hales drives but Boyce dives to his left and makes a fine stop.

10:24 AM IST FOUR! Timely boundary! A fuller ball outside off, Khawaja squeezes it out and manages to get it past the diving point fielder. It races to the fence.

10:23 AM IST Full and on middle, flicked to mid-wicket for a run.

10:23 AM IST Slower one and on off and middle, Hales reads it well and blocks.

10:22 AM IST Around off on a fuller length, Khawaja strokes it to long on for a single.

10:22 AM IST Fuller outside off, Hales pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

10:22 AM IST Good length ball on off and middle, Khawaja tucks it towards square leg for a single.

10:21 AM IST Jack Wildermuth is on now.

10:20 AM IST Full delivery on middle, Khawaja pushes it down to long on for a single. 50-run stand is up between the two. 45 runs have come off the Powerplay.

10:20 AM IST Short and outside off, Hales taps it through cover-point and takes a single.

10:20 AM IST Short ball, cut to point and takes a single.

10:19 AM IST Outside off, pushed to deep cover for a single.

10:19 AM IST Short ball on middle, Khawaja pulls it to deep square leg and takes a single.

10:18 AM IST Flatter delivery outside off, Khawaja looks to cut but gets beaten.

10:18 AM IST Full and on middle, Khawaja drives it through mid off for a single.

10:17 AM IST Full toss on middle, Hales pushes it between the gap in deep mid-wicket and and deep square leg. Hales was off the block quickly and wanted the second but Khawaja slipped at the other end. The umpire checks with him and he is now ready.

10:17 AM IST Another slower bouncer on middle, Khawaja taps it towards off side for a single.

10:17 AM IST Bouncer outside off, Khawaja cuts but misses. Called wide by the umpire for height.

10:14 AM IST Brilliant fielding in the deep! A ball on the pads of Khawaja, he flicks it towards deep square leg. It seems like it will go for a boundary but the fielder in the deep makes a diving stop and save a couple of runs for his side.

10:13 AM IST Shortish and around off, Khawaja taps it towards point.

10:12 AM IST Fuller and around off, driven nicely but straight to the cover fielder.

10:12 AM IST Kane Richardson has a change of ends.

10:11 AM IST Shortish around off, worked towards leg side for a single.

10:11 AM IST Misfield and a couple of runs! Slower one around middle, Khawaja tucks it towards square leg where the fielder fumbles allows the ball to sneak through his legs. A couple of runs.

10:09 AM IST Shortish and on middle, Hales taps it towards mid-wicket and changes ends.

10:09 AM IST On the pads of Khawaja, he tucks it towards deep square leg for a single.

10:09 AM IST Full and around off, driven straight to covers.

10:08 AM IST Gurney starts with a fuller length around off, it is pushed towards cover for a single.

10:07 AM IST Harry Gurney is into the attack for the first time.

10:06 AM IST Around off on a length, Hales tucks it towards mid on for a single. 14 from the over, a good one for the Thunders.

10:06 AM IST Fuller and just outside off, Khawaja pushes it through cover-point for a single.

10:05 AM IST Beaten this time. A good length ball outside off, Khawaja this time looks to run it down towards third man but misses to put any bat on the ball.

10:05 AM IST FOUR! Make that 3 in a row. Poor line and length from Gleeson. A short and outside off, Khawaja waits and than cuts it over point for a boundary.

10:04 AM IST FOUR! Innovative now! Khawaja gets a full ball on middle, he moves across and chips it over the fine leg fielder for another boundary.

10:03 AM IST FOUR! Drills it down down the ground! Fuller length ball on off, Khawaja comes down the track and slams it to the right of the bowler. It races away to the fence.

10:02 AM IST Good length ball on off, tapped through point.

10:02 AM IST Another ball on the pads, Khawaja once again fails to connect. The ball takes the pads and goes towards square leg. A leg bye taken.

10:01 AM IST Huge appeal for LBW but the umpire is not interested. A good length ball around leg, Khawaja looks to tuck it towards square of the wicket on the leg side but misses.

10:00 AM IST Short but just around off, Hales once again cuts and manages to find the gap through point and gully. A single as there is third man in place.

10:00 AM IST Short and wide again, Hales cuts but can't beat Christian at point who makes a diving stop.

9:59 AM IST FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Hales rocks back on the back foot and slaps it through point for a boundary. No chance for the third man fielder there.

9:58 AM IST FOUR! Uppish but wide! Good length ball outside off, Khawaja drives it uppishly wide of the cover fielder and into the fence. Good over for Thunder comes to an end.

9:58 AM IST Beaten! Fuller and outside off, Khawaja drives away from the body again to get beaten.

9:57 AM IST FOUR! Good length ball on off, Khawaja whips it to the deep mid-wicket fence. The fielder from deep square leg chases the ball down but the ball wins the race.

9:57 AM IST Full and on middle, Khawaja comes forward and flicks it to deep square leg for a couple of runs.

9:56 AM IST Shortish and around off, Khawaja taps it towards point off the back foot.

9:55 AM IST Hales is underway! Gleeson starts with a full ball on middle, Hales flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

9:55 AM IST Richard Gleeson will bowl from the other end.

9:54 AM IST Beaten again! Brilliant over from Richardson. Another good length ball just outside off, it shapes further away as Khawaja drives and gets beaten again.

9:54 AM IST Full and on middle, Khawaja tucks it to mid-wicket for a couple of runs to get off the mark.

9:53 AM IST Nicely bowled! Seeing Khawaja making room outside off, Richardson bowls it short and wide outside off, Khawaja cannot reach it.

9:53 AM IST Beaten! Full ball outside off, shaping away a hint. Khawaja drives away from his body to get beaten.

9:52 AM IST Shortish and outside off, Khawaja taps it towards cover off the back foot.

9:52 AM IST Richardson starts with a good length ball, angling away. Khawaja tucks it towards point.

9:50 AM IST We are back for the run chase! The Renegades' player walk out to the middle. Usman Khawaja and Alex Hales, the openers for Thunders walk out to the middle. Kane Richardson to bowl first up. Here we go...