Rutherford’s heroics power Sydney Thunder to thrilling victory

PERTH, Australia (CMC):

Guyanese batsman Sherfane Rutherford’s explosive unbeaten 19-ball 39 propelled the Sydney Thunder to a nail-biting, four-wicket win over the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League in Perth on Friday.

With the Thunder needing 21 runs off the last seven balls, Hugh Weibgen ignited the chase by smashing Jason Behrendorff over deep midwicket for a crucial six.

The Scorchers’ over-rate penalty proved costly, forcing an additional fielder inside the ring, and that was when the Rutherford capitalised brilliantly.

Facing Andrew Tye in the final over, the left-handed Rutherford hammered three boundaries, including a fortuitous inside edge off the last ball to seal the win at 179 for six. Player of the match Rutherford finished with five fours and a six with a strike rate of over 200.

David Warner (49 off 33) and Matthew Gilkes (43 off 36) had earlier laid the foundation for the epic chase. Thunder’s victory was overshadowed by an impressive performance by Scorchers pacer Lance Morris, who claimed three wickets for 22 runs.

Earlier, Finn Allen’s scintillating 31-ball 68 and Cooper Connoly’s unbeaten 43 off 31 balls set the tone for the Scorchers total of 177 for four. Off-spinner Chris Green bagged three wickets for 20 runs while Rutherford sent down one wicketless over which cost 22 runs.

The match was overshadowed by a horrific on-field collision between Cameron Bancroft and Daniel Sams, which held up play for 20 minutes.