3 minute read

Despite missing four players with COVID-19, the Sydney Thunder have continued their strong form with a comprehensive win against the Adelaide Strikers.

COVID chaos has not stopped the Sydney Thunder's charge up the BBL table, as they maintained their impressive winning streak without key personnel.

While batters Alex Hales, Alex Ross and Sam Whiteman and boom spinner Tanveer Sangha sat out Sunday's match in Sydney after testing positive for COVID-19, the Thunder made it three wins on the bounce with a 28-run triumph against the Adelaide Strikers.

It was the second time the two sides had met in three days, with a stylish 93 from Thunder opener Matthew Gilkes getting the job done for his side.

Thunder captain Chris Green praised his side's ability to push through the challenges and keep racking up wins.

"We've had an interesting and tough couple of days, in Adelaide first and then coming back here with the COVID protocols," he said.

"Really happy with the way we've stepped up against adversity, stuck together and done it for the fans."

Man of the match Gilkes agreed, saying Green and coach Trevor Bayliss had led the way.

"There's been distractions over the last three or four days, unfortunately losing a few boys," he said.

"Greeny and TB have been really happy with how the team's just put that aside and stuck to playing some really good cricket. We've got some good wins over the last couple of games."

On his own starring role, Gilkes said it was a nice improvement on his last few innings where he'd scored six, two and 13.

"I feel like I've kind of thrown my wicket away over the last couple of games," he said.

"So I was really just trying to go out there and play smart cricket shots and fortunately for a bit longer this time."

The Thunder are back in action on Wednesday night when they battle the Perth Scorchers in a third-verus-first blockbuster.