BBL|15: Sydney Thunder register season-opening win as Matthew Gilkes takes down Brisbane Heat

Sydney Thunder registered their first win of the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) season as they defeated Brisbane Heat by 34 runs in the ninth match at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on December 22.

Matthew Gilkes and Sam Konstas registered a 127-run stand in 80 balls to lay the foundation of a comprehensive win. Gilkes smashed 76 runs off 48 balls, including four boundaries and three sixes. He launched an onslaught on the Heat bowlers, and they failed to set the right field for him and Konstas.

Xavier Bartlett copped the brunt of the attack and ended up with figures of 52 for none in four overs at an economy rate of 13.00. Liam Haskett was also fairly expensive, conceding 36 runs off three overs at 12 per over.

Konstas also found his mojo as he scored a 45-ball 63 with the help of eight boundaries and batted at an impressive strike rate of 140. Jack Wildermuth broke the stand as he removed Konstas with an off cutter. Konstas' wicket didn't bring any reprieve to the Heat bowlers as Sam Billings hit the ground running and began from where the former had left. Gilkes batted till the 19th over and guided Thunder to 193.

Heat's run chase never got the impetus it needed. They got off to a very sedate start as Colin Munro and Wildermuth failed to utilize the power play properly. Consequently, they were behind the eight ball from the beginning, and it hurt them in the end. Matt Renshaw injected slight momentum into their innings, scoring a quickfire 43 off 28 balls, including four boundaries and a six at a strike rate of 153.57.

Shadab Khan was the pick of all the Thunder bowlers, registering figures of 4/24. He was ably supported by Daniel Sams, who claimed 2/25. Thunder are sixth on the points table with a solitary win and two losses.