Thunder have usurped Turkey as the holders of the lowest score in men's T20 history
Sydney: Adelaide Strikers 139-9, Sydney Thunder 15 (fifteen) - Adelaide Strikers win by 124 runs
Sydney Thunder made men's T20 history as they recorded the lowest score in the format's history.
They were bowled out for just 15 in just 35 deliveries. Henry Thornton ended with figures of 5 for 3, Wes Agar took 4 for 6. Neither Rashid Khan nor Peter Siddle even bowled for Adelaide Strikers. Wicketkeeper Harry Nielsen claimed five catches.
Brendan Doggett top-scored: he made four. Both openers went for ducks – two of five in an extraordinary scorecard.
Thunder, coached by Trevor Bayliss, who won the 2019 World Cup with England, have usurped Turkey as the holders of the lowest score in men's T20 history. Turkey were bowled out for 21 by the Czech Republic in 2019, but they have now been freed from the ignominy of that unwanted record.
The previous Big Bash record was 57, held by Melbourne Renegades, and the previous record for the lowest score in a men's non-international T20 match was set 13 years ago in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy by Tripura, who made 30 – twice Sydney's final total. In women's T20Is, both the Maldives and Mali have been bowled out for six. No other men's T20 innings had ever been completed in fewer than 50 balls.
Adelaide Strikers could not believe what was happening (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
The only boundary in the 31-minute-long innings was inside-edged by Doggett past his leg-stump for four. Two wickets fell in each of the second, third, fifth and six overs, with Doggett the last man out, slicing to backward point to spark wild celebrations.
"Even in the backyard, they are (my best figures)," said Thornton, whose figures came on his birthday. He is averaging 2.55 so far in this year's tournament, with a four-wicket haul and a five-wicket haul in two games.
"I can't really believe it. They just nicked everything and we caught it. It was an amazing performance and they're a really good team, so for us to do that is incredible. We wanted 150 at the innings break. Honestly, we just couldn't believe it. We were running around, just like: 'What is going on?'"
Thunder were only defending 140 after being restricted by Sydney's attack but won by 124 runs. They face one another again on Tuesday.
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