Cricket

Sydney Thunder's Georgia Voll emerged as the hero in a thrilling seven-wicket victory over Perth Scorchers at the MCG, propelling her team back to the summit of the WBBL standings.Despite dropping five catches, Thunder's bowlers managed to restrict Scorchers to 170 for 5, with Beth Mooney leading the charge with a blistering 97 from 64 deliveries. However, Voll stole the show with an unbeaten 97 from 56 balls, guiding Thunder to victory with just one over remaining.Voll's innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, featuring 13 fours and a six. It surpassed her previous best of 92 against Adelaide Strikers earlier this month. The 21-year-old attributed her success to taking inspiration from Hobart Hurricanes opener Lizelle Lee's recent record-breaking performances."I watched Lizelle Lee bat the other day and noticed that I've been trying to go a little bit hard too early," Voll said. "I sort of just took my time a little bit more and took the strike off Atha [Chamari Athapaththu] at the start there as well. It was just sort of lucky to come off."Voll's 64-run partnership with Heather Knight proved crucial for Thunder. Knight's dismissal by Amy Edgar gave Scorchers hope, but Voll remained unyielding, finding support from Anika Learoyd to guide her team home.Mooney's innings was equally impressive, despite the dropped catches. She was put down three times before reaching 20 and again after scoring a half-century. Sophie Devine also contributed with 44 runs, but her dismissal by Taneale Peschel and Mooney's lbw dismissal to Shabnim Ismail in the final over proved costly for Scorchers.Peschel finished with figures of 3-28, while Ismail claimed 1-32.

Perth Scorchers' teenage sensation Chloe Ainsworth continued her impressive start to the WBBL, leading her team to a dominant 74-run victory over the previously undefeated Sydney Thunder.Ainsworth's impressive bowling figures of 2 for 15 at Drummoyne Oval on Tuesday night played a crucial role in restricting Thunder to a mere 97 runs in the 20th over, well short of Scorchers' formidable total of 171 for 7. The young seamer's early wickets set the tone for the match, as she conceded only 4 runs from her opening two overs.The result snapped Thunder's four-match winning streak and propelled Scorchers from fifth to second on the WBBL ladder. However, the match was not without its drama, as one of Drummoyne Oval's light towers malfunctioned early in Thunder's chase. Umpires halted play to consult with both teams, and Thunder captain Phoebe Litchfield opted to continue batting despite the reduced visibility."I don't think I would like to be batting out there with Ainsworth out there firing, but that's the umpire's call," Thunder coach Lisa Keightley said after the match. "And they gave it to the players, so that is interesting."Despite the setback, Litchfield and Heather Knight briefly reignited Thunder's hopes with a 32-run third-wicket partnership. However, Litchfield's dismissal off Amy Edgar's bowling triggered a collapse, with Thunder losing wickets in quick succession.Earlier, Sophie Devine played a pivotal role in setting up Scorchers' victory with a well-paced 48 from 34 balls. The New Zealand star, who had endured two consecutive ducks prior to Tuesday's match, found her rhythm alongside India's Dayalan Hemalatha, who contributed a brisk 41 off 26 balls.Devine's innings included a six and four boundaries, providing the impetus for Scorchers' strong total. Mikayla Hinkley also played a valuable role, contributing 26 runs to the team's cause.While Devine's performance showcased her experience and class, Ainsworth's display highlighted her immense potential. The 19-year-old has emerged as a genuine threat to opposition batters, adding the likes of Chamari Athapaththu, Meg Lanning, and Alice Capsey to her growing list of victims this season.With nine wickets at an average of 12.88, Ainsworth has proven to be a force to be reckoned with. Her ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace makes her a formidable opponent, and her performances have undoubtedly caught the attention of Australian selectors.

Sydney Thunder emerged victorious in the first derby clash of the season, defeating Sydney Sixers by 18 runs at the SCG. The triumph was orchestrated by the impressive performances of Heather Knight and Samantha Bates.Knight, continuing her stellar form, anchored the Thunder's innings with a fluent 50 off 31 deliveries. Her knock, coupled with Chamari Athapaththu's solid foundation, propelled Thunder to a competitive total of 158 for 6.The Thunder's bowling attack proved equally formidable, restricting the Sixers to 140. Bates, in particular, was exceptional, claiming 3-22 and moving to the top of the season's wicket-taking charts. Shabnim Ismail, despite not taking any wickets, played a crucial role with her economical bowling and superb fielding, securing four catches.The Sixers' chase was hampered by a shaky start, with the team losing five wickets for 63 runs in the first 10 overs. Ash Gardner provided a glimmer of hope with a timely return to form, scoring 49. However, her dismissal by Bates with 28 runs required off 14 balls effectively ended the Sixers' hopes.The victory consolidates Thunder's position at the top of the table, while the Sixers remain in the hunt for a top-four finish. With five games remaining, the race for the home grand final intensifies.

Sydney Thunder's batting prowess and Sam Bates' exceptional bowling performance propelled them to a commanding 19-run victory over Brisbane Heat in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) at the WACA Ground.England captain Heather Knight led the Thunder's charge with an unbeaten 59, while Phoebe Litchfield (40) and Chamari Athapaththu (33) provided valuable contributions. The trio's efforts propelled Thunder to a formidable total of 170 for 5.In response, Brisbane Heat's Charli Knott (55) and Grace Harris (41) threatened to pull off a remarkable run chase. However, Bates' devastating spell of 4 for 25 proved too much for the Heat, who were eventually bowled out for 151.Thunder's innings got off to a solid start as Georgia Voll and Athapaththu put on a 52-run opening partnership. Athapaththu and Litchfield continued the momentum, striking seven boundaries each. Knight then took over, unleashing a flurry of shots to further bolster Thunder's total.Heat's Jess Jonassen emerged as the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 for 22. However, the rest of the bowling attack struggled to contain Thunder's star-studded batting lineup.Brisbane Heat's run chase began promisingly, but Harris' luck ran out when she was caught in the deep for 41. Knott kept the Heat's hopes alive with a maiden WBBL half-century, but her dismissal by Bates proved decisive.Bates' exceptional performance has seen her claim 12 wickets from just four games this season. "I'm not sure if there's a real secret behind [my form]," Bates said. "It's nice to be contributing finally. I had a pretty ordinary season last year, so I reflected quite a bit on that. I changed some little things and they're paying off, which is nice."

David Warner, the enigmatic Australian opener, has been reinstated as captain of the Sydney Thunder for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season. This momentous decision comes after Cricket Australia's Code of Conduct Commission overturned his leadership ban, which stemmed from the infamous Newlands ball-tampering scandal in 2018.Warner's return to the captaincy marks a significant milestone in his career and a testament to his unwavering determination. The 36-year-old expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, stating, "Captaining the Thunder again this season means a lot to me. I was part of the team from the start, and now to be back with that 'C' next to my name feels fantastic."Warner's appointment as captain is not merely a symbolic gesture but a strategic move by the Thunder. His vast experience and leadership qualities will be invaluable to a team that finished bottom of the table last season. Warner is eager to share his knowledge with the younger players, fostering their growth and preparing them for future leadership roles.Trent Copeland, the Thunder general manager, hailed Warner's return as a pivotal moment for the club. "This is a huge moment for David and for our club," he said. "It's not only about his career; it's about the legacy he's creating, especially for his family and the next generation of players."Warner's leadership ban was lifted after a thorough review process that considered his sincere remorse and acknowledgment of his past conduct. The review panel noted his "respectful and contrite tone" and his genuine desire to make amends.Since his CA ban, Warner has captained teams in various T20 leagues around the world, including the BPL, IPL, and ILT20. His last stint as captain of an Australian team was in 2018 when he led the T20I side against New Zealand.The Thunder will kick off their BBL campaign against the Adelaide Strikers in Canberra on December 17. They will then face their arch-rivals, the Sydney Sixers, in the first derby clash at the Showground on December 21. With Warner at the helm, the Thunder will be hoping to make a strong statement and challenge for the BBL title.

Sydney Thunder's Georgia Voll has etched her name in the record books with a scintillating 92-run knock, leading her team to a resounding 64-run victory over Adelaide Strikers. The triumph marks Thunder's biggest win in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) and their second victory in three matches this season.Voll, who joined Thunder from Brisbane Heat on a three-year deal, seized the opportunity to open the batting and unleashed a barrage of boundaries. Her innings, which included three sixes and 12 fours, propelled Thunder to their highest total of 212 for 5.The 21-year-old shared a 54-run opening stand with Chamari Athapaththu before combining with Phoebe Litchfield for a 96-run partnership off just 52 balls. Litchfield also contributed a valuable 49, showcasing her creative strokeplay with scoops and reverse sweeps.In reply, Adelaide Strikers struggled to keep pace with Thunder's onslaught. Only Katie Mack's 51 provided some resistance, as Shabnim Ismail and Sam Bates wreaked havoc with the ball. Ismail claimed 3 for 18, while Bates returned career-best figures of 4 for 21, dismantling the Strikers' middle and lower order.The result leaves Adelaide with a 1-2 record in the shortened 19-game season, while Thunder have emerged as early contenders with two wins from three matches. Voll's performance has been a revelation, showcasing her potential as a top-order batter and providing a glimpse of what Thunder can achieve this season.

Sydney Thunder's impressive batting performance, led by Heather Knight and Chamari Athapaththu, and Hannah Darlington's effective bowling helped them avenge their earlier WBBL loss to Hobart Hurricanes.Despite a 31-run defeat in Hobart three days prior, Thunder emerged victorious in a rain-affected match at North Sydney Oval, winning by 33 runs. The match was reduced to 17 overs per side due to a 30-minute delay.Athapaththu (38 off 29) and Knight (48 off 28) played crucial roles in Thunder's total of 146 for 5. Hurricanes made a strong start, scoring 18 runs off the first seven balls, but their momentum was halted as they lost five wickets for just 13 runs in the final overs.Darlington claimed the key wickets of Lizelle Lee and Heather Graham, while Athapaththu contributed with the ball, taking 1 for 11 off three overs and dismissing England's Danni Wyatt-Hodge.Knight, who missed the first encounter between the teams, showcased her class with some elegant shots, particularly during the power surge over bowled by Molly Strano. She struck 14 runs off the last three balls, including a six over long off and two fours.Athapaththu, who had been dismissed for a first-ball duck in the previous match, was dropped at deep midwicket on 5. She went on to hit sixes over deep midwicket and long off before being caught by Strano off her own bowling.In response, Lee started aggressively, hitting boundaries off the first two balls of Hurricanes' chase. However, Thunder's bowlers fought back, with Athapaththu having Wyatt-Hodge caught at backward point. Nicola Carey, who had scored a half-century in the previous game, was dismissed by Shabnim Ismail.Lee was adjudged lbw after the mid-innings break, but replays showed she would have been reprieved if she had used DRS. A 43-run partnership between Graham and Elyse Villani gave Hurricanes hope, but their dismissals in successive overs triggered a collapse.

David Warner's six-year leadership ban has been overturned by Cricket Australia (CA), allowing him to captain Sydney Thunder in the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL). The decision follows a review by CA's Conduct Commission, which unanimously agreed that Warner had met the necessary criteria for the ban to be lifted.Warner had been banned from holding any leadership position in Australian cricket since the infamous sandpaper incident in Cape Town in 2018. He had initially accepted a year-long playing ban for his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal but had unsuccessfully attempted to have the leadership ban overturned in 2022.However, changes to the code of conduct in 2022 allowed Warner to reapply for a review of his ban. The Conduct Commission panel was impressed by Warner's "respectful and contrite tone" and his "sincere and genuine" acknowledgment of his responsibility for the incident.The panel also considered Warner's contributions to cricket, particularly his role in fostering interest in the sport among the South Asian community in Australia. CA CEO Nick Hockley welcomed the decision, stating that it was a "fair and rigorous process" that allowed players to have long-term sanctions reviewed.Warner's return to leadership is a significant development for Australian cricket. He has been a key figure in the national team for over a decade and is widely regarded as one of the best batsmen in the world. His experience and leadership skills will be invaluable to Sydney Thunder in the upcoming BBL season.The lifting of Warner's ban also raises questions about the future of Steven Smith, who was also banned for his involvement in the sandpaper incident. Smith has since returned to captain both the Australian Test and ODI teams, but it remains to be seen whether he will be allowed to hold a leadership position in the BBL.

Phoebe Litchfield, the rising star of Australian cricket, has been appointed as the captain of Sydney Thunder for the upcoming Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) season. At just 21 years old, Litchfield becomes the youngest full-time captain in WBBL history.Litchfield's appointment comes after the departure of England captain Heather Knight, who led Thunder last season but will miss the latter stages of this year's competition due to injury. Litchfield has been a key player for Thunder since making her debut at the age of 16, scoring over 1200 runs in 67 matches.In the past season, Litchfield has shown significant improvement in her batting, increasing her strike rate and scoring 309 runs at an impressive 130.37. Her maturity and leadership qualities have also been evident, making her a natural choice for the captaincy role.Thunder general manager Trent Copeland praised Litchfield's appointment, saying, "She's young, but her experience in the game makes this a natural progression. Phoebe has always been mature beyond her years, and her leadership qualities have been evident from the moment she joined Thunder."Litchfield will have the support of an experienced squad, including Chamari Athapaththu, Hannah Darlington, Shabnim Ismail, and Sammy-Jo Johnson, as well as coach Lisa Keightley. Thunder will begin their WBBL campaign against Hobart Hurricanes on October 28.