Australia’s likely next Test opener Sam Konstas was looking to follow up his record-setting Big Bash League debut in style as he and the Thunder face their rivals the Sixers in the Sydney Smash.
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MATCH CENTRE: Thunder vs Sixers live scorecard, updates and more
But he chopped on for a third-ball duck leaving the hosts 1-1.
With former Test star David Warner also gone quickly after a 10-ball 17, it was up to another contender to replace the veteran, Cameron Bancroft, to steady the ship.
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SKIP’S FAMOUS LAST WORDS
Moises Henriques was forced to eat his words after taking a “gamble” that backfired spectacularly in the Sydney Smash.
The skipper could be heard on Fox Cricket’s mic leaving the off-side open for Thunder star Ollie Davies facing off spinner Todd Murphy.
When asked to explain the move moments before the eighth over, Henriques was frank.
“Ollie loves to hit spin through the off side. He loves to hit balls where the fielders aren’t,” he explained.
“He really makes a point of trying to embarrass the opposition captain.
“So hopefully he doesn’t right now.”
But that hope faded seconds later when Davies launched Murphy over the rope for six.
And he wasn’t done there, launching the next two deliveries – including one going 98m – into the stands.
“He’s made his point there, Ollie Davies,” Fox Cricket’s commentator Mark Waugh praised.
The Thunder took 20 off the Murphy over to turn the match in their favour.
Back on the mic for Fox Cricket, Henriques was quick to shoulder the blame for the disastrous over.
“If anything … that was my bad call,” he said.
“Ollie is a very good player of off spin. We’d built a bit of pressure on the two (Davies and Cam Bancroft down the other end).
“It was a bit of a gamble bringing (Murphy) on.
“I obviously wasn’t expecting three sixes in the first three balls.
“Part of that is on me really.
“There’s only so much an off spinner can do when Ollie is a very good player of off spin and he moves his feet very well.”
Injured Thunder star Nic Maddinson was impressed by what he saw from Davies as he picked his moment to strike.
“You’ve got to find a moment in the game to take on a match-up that you think is yours. He did that today,” he said.
“Right arm off spinner coming on to Ollie who plays spin reasonably well.
“He took his opportunity and it’s great to see.”
Great for Thunder fans. Sixers? Not so much.
Sam Konstas’ history making half century | 04:44
The match got underway at 7:15pm AEDT from ENGIE Stadium.
Sydney Thunder squad: David Warner (c), Wes Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings, Ollie Davies, Lockie Ferguson, Chris Green, Sam Konstas, Nathan McAndrew, Tom Andrews, Sherfane Rutherford, Daniel Sams, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha
Sydney Sixers squad: Moises Henriques (c), Sean Abbott, Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Akeal Hosein, Hayden Kerr, Todd Murphy, Kurtis Patterson, Mitch Perry, Josh Philippe, Lachlan Shaw, Jordan Silk, James Vince
Konstas IN, McSweeney OUT for 4th Test | 04:07
