The Sydney Thunder’s dismal BBL marketing campaign has crashed from unhealthy to worse with captain David Warner struggling a knee damage in a complete seven-wicket loss to the Brisbane Warmth.
Warner’s 82 steered the Thunder to 6-180 on the Gabba on Saturday earlier than fellow 39-year-old and retired Check nice Usman Khawaja stroked 78 to steer the Warmth house with 22 deliveries remaining.
Warner was unable to subject after being hit flush on his left knee, which was unprotected as he crouched low whereas making an attempt to brush Xavier Bartlett.
Chris Inexperienced captained in Warner’s absence all through Brisbane’s innings.
Warmth skipper Khawaja, who signed off as a Check participant two days in the past, switched effortlessly to white-ball mode, sharing in a 93-run third-wicket stand with Matt Renshaw (42no).
When Khawaja succumbed with the end line in sight he obtained a standing ovation from the Brisbane crowd, as a lot for his positive innings as his whole 88-Check journey.
Khawaja formally retired from Check cricket after Australia clinched the Ashes sequence 4-1 with victory on the SCG on Thursday.
The favored veteran admitted he was overcome with emotion within the lead-up to and through his remaining Check innings.
“I used to be making an attempt to behave cool, however this entire Check I’ve struggled to include my feelings,” Khawaja stated after Thursday’s victory.
“I discovered it actually laborious to pay attention, actually laborious to get into rhythm.”
There have been no indicators of nerves on the Gabba on Saturday, with Khawaja serving to himself to seven fours and three sixes in his 48-ball masterclass.
Khawaja was enjoying his 72nd BBL match and he has proven an actual liking for the format, having scored two centuries and 14 half-centuries at a strike-rate of greater than 130.
Earlier Jack Wildermuth laid a raucous basis, taking Wes Agar down for 3 sixes and a 4 within the third over.
Wildermuth’s whirlwind cameo ended on 39 off 15 balls due to an excellent diving outfield catch from Tanveer Sangha.
Agar’s nightmare continued when he dropped a sitter to reprieve Nathan McSweeney first ball.
It did not show too pricey, McSweeney sweeping Chris Inexperienced down David Willey’s throat for 12.
Earlier, Warner continued his purple patch after beginning the New 12 months with an unbeaten 130 and 67 not out.
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He seemed on observe for an additional ton earlier than falling in calamitous vogue quickly after copping the blow to his knee.
Sam Billings (34) top-edged a sweep off Renshaw to deep midwicket the place Marnus Labuschagne uncharacteristically grassed a regulation likelihood.
However close by McSweeney pounced on the ball and threw a bullet to wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson.
Warner wished a second run earlier than being caught effectively brief after being despatched again by Billings, who gave the impression to be ball-watching, seemingly not anticipating Labuschagne to drop the catch.
Renshaw (2-29 off 4 overs) was the decide of the Warmth assault together with his part-time finger spin.
AAP
