Riding on the back of Usman Khawaja’s second century in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2015-16, Sydney Thunder marched into the final after inflicting a comprehensive eight-wicket defeat on table-toppers Adelaide Strikers in the first semi-final, on Thursday (January 21).
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Alex Ross top scored for the home team with a 38-ball 47, putting on two valuable stands, worth 42 and 36 respectively with Jake Lehmann (14) and Michael Neser (27).
The 14th hundred in Big Bash history condemned Strikers to their second semi-final loss, while Thunder – who reached their target of 160 off just 17.4 overs – will face either Melbourne Stars or Perth Scorchers in Sunday’s final.
The left hander smacked a six and four off consecutive balls from Gary Putland, before clearing the ropes one more time as he flourished in his run support role.
The Strikers topped the ladder at the end of the regular season and will host the first of the semi-finals against the fourth-ranked Thunder.
He then motored to his ton from only 55 balls in an innings which sucked the spirit from the Strikers and their parochial 48,699-strong home crowd.
Kallis remains in doubt for tonight’s Twenty20 semifinal at the Adelaide Oval but the Thunder have said they will gamble with his groin injury if he’s an 80 per cent fit.
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“And he played some wonderful knocks in tough situations and that is the mark of a player – you can find a way to score runs or take wickets and have an impact, find a way to be a match victor”. They (Thunder) play their conditions really well and I think probably their strengths might be a bit weaker at our venue hopefully.
