The Big Bash League (BBL) 2022-23 started with a thrilling game between Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder at Manuka Oval in Canberra on Tuesday. The Stars were disappointing with the bat and could only score 122/8 in 20 overs.
However, the Adam Zampa-led side came desperately close to defending the paltry total as the game went down to the wire. But Gurinder Sandhu kept his cool and smashed a big six on the fourth ball of the final over, bringing down the equation to two, needing off the last two deliveries before Stars’ wicketkeeper, Joe Clarke, let the final ball through for byes to hand Thunder a victory.
During the final over bowled by Beau Webster, Melbourne’s substitute fielder, Brody Couch, did the unthinkable, grabbing an absolute stunner to get rid of Chris Green. Webster went for a length delivery, and Green advanced to clear the long-on boundary. But Couch had some other plans as he stormed quickly and jumped in time to full stretch while falling backwards and took a one-handed stunner.
Here is the video:
What a CATCH!! pic.twitter.com/pGZ4WHIO6U
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) December 13, 2022
Sandhu, who smashed a six in the final over, was adjudged Player of the Match. After taking his side over the finish line, Sandhu revealed that he had no doubts about hitting a six and knew what was Webster’s plans as he has played the right-arm pacer before.
“I was pretty clear (about the game-changing six). I played with Beau (Webster) for a while, and kind of knew what was coming. So the plan was to stay still and swing hard, and the rest will take care of itself. The wicket was a bit tricky, some were gripping and sticking, and we knew that some of those low totals are gonna get tricky, but it was a great game. Our (team) communication on the field is very good, soon after the first 2-3 overs, we reacted and planned accordingly as a bowling group. Good morale boost this win and keeps us going for the rest of the competition,” said Sandhu in the post-match presentation.
