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Davies, Sangha fire Thunder to big BBL win

3 minute read

The Sydney Thunder's next generation of Big Bash talent has helped the club to the second biggest Big Bash win in history over the Melbourne Renegades.

MOHAMMAD NABI of the Renegades warms up during the Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Renegades and the Perth Scorchers at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.
MOHAMMAD NABI of the Renegades warms up during the Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Renegades and the Perth Scorchers at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Oliver Davies bludgeoned five straight sixes as the Sydney Thunder chalked up the second biggest Big Bash win in history with a 129-run pummelling of the Melbourne Renegades.

Davies racked up 48 from just 23 balls in the Thunder's club record total of 8-209, before legspinner Tanveer Sangha's 4-14 helped have the Renegades all out for 80 in 12.2 overs.

It continued a horror run for the Renegades, who now have the worst two losses in the competition's history in the space of two weeks after being flogged by 145 runs by the Sydney Sixers.

But while the Renegades are struggling with three straight losses, the Thunder's next generation of stars were brilliant in their third straight win.

In just his second BBL match, Davies took Mohammad Nabi to the cleaners with four straight sixes before sending Will Sutherland over deep square leg for another the next ball he faced.

Sutherland bowled him the ball after that with a good yorker, but by then Davies had racked up 48 from just 23 balls.

Three nights after hitting a match-turning 36 from 21 on debut, 20-year-old Davies three times hit Nabi over mid-wicket with two of the sixes powerful sweep shots.

The other against the offspinner was the most impressive, taking a maximum over long-off.

"I played a lot of junior cricket with him since under-17s in the NSW pathways, and one thing I learned is to not bowl spin at him," Sangha said.

"I've learned that lesson a lot. He is definitely improving with pace but he is great against spin.

"He batted amazing."

Rookie Sangha then claimed the key scalp of Aaron Finch caught at cover for 20 to rip the heart out of Renegades' chase.

The 19-year-old also had Rilee Russouw caught and bowled before removing Nabi and Peter Hatzoglou to put the exclamation mark on a dominant night for the young guns.

"It helps the way they are backing you and have confidence in you to play your game naturally," Sangha said.

"It definitely helps your confidence and allows you to play your game.

"It's great with all the junior players like (Chris) Greeny and Uzzy (Khawaja) around to asking them questions and pick their brains."

Davies was meanwhile one of several Thunder batsmen to take it to the spinners, as the Sydney team put the ball into the Manuka Oval crowd 12 times.

Usman Khawaja and Alex Hales took 50 runs off the opening four-over power play, dispatching Imad Wasim (0-35) and Hatzoglou (2-38) early.

But both eventually fell to spinners, with Khawaja caught in the deep off Nabi (1-35) for 34 from 18 and Hales bowled by Hatzoglou on 35 from 21.

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