Just one day after Alex Carey brought the first century of the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 2020-21, Sydney Thunder opener Alex Hales delivered one of the greatest hundreds in BBL history on Friday.
In the match, the Sydney Sixers won the toss and invited Sydney Thunder to bat first. Team Thunder did not get a good start, but still they attained a humongous first-innings total. In this, the role of sensational England batsman Alex Hales was the most important, who scored with an incredible strike rate of around 200.
Alex Hales faced 56 balls and scored 110 runs in his explosive innings, during which he hit 9 fours and 8 sixes. During his innings, Hales stitched three half-century partnerships for the second, third and fourth wickets.
Alex Hales added 69 runs with Ferguson for the second wicket, 53 runs for the third wicket with Sam Billings, while sharing a 54-run partnership with Ben Cutting for the fourth wicket.
On-air commentator Mark Waugh heaped praises on the English opener and said his innings has lit up the whole ground.
“What an innings. Alex Hales has lit up the ground tonight with some brilliant stroke play. He hit everything out of the middle – great ball striking down the centre in particular. Once he gets knowing he knows one gear, and that’s to go hard … Tremendous ball-striking and a pleasure to watch,” said Waugh said on Fox Cricket.
Most Runs From Fours And Sixes in An Inning:
- 100 – Marcus Stoinis (147)
- 86 – Luke Wright (117)
- 86 – Ben McDermott (114)
- 86 – Matthew Wade (130)
- 84 – Jake Weatherald (115)
- 84 – Alex Hales (110)*
The Thunder’s 232/5 broke the record for the highest BBL total, surpassing the previous best of 223/8 made by Hobart Hurricanes against Melbourne Renegades at Marvel Stadium BBL|06.
Highest Totals in BBL:
- 232/5 – Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers (2020)*
- 223/8 – Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Renegades (2017)
- 222/4 – Melbourne Renegades vs Hobart Hurricanes (2017)
- 219/1 – Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers (2020)
- 219/7 – Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars (2020)
Ben Dwarshuis was the pick of the bowlers for the Sixers, accounting for three dismissals. West Indies all-rounder Carlos Braithwaite and Lloyd Pope picked a wicket apiece.
The Sixers are currently on top of the league standings, having accumulated 32 points from 11 matches. The team has won eight games with three defeats so far. Sydney Thunder on the other hand, are placed on the fifth spot on the points table. The side has earned 23 points in the same number of games, having registered six wins and five losses.