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David Warner smashed his highest BBL score in 13 years to lead Sydney Thunder to an eight-run victory over Melbourne Renegades on Monday. After a slow start to the tournament, Warner found his form with an unbeaten 86 from 57 balls, guiding Thunder to 156 for 4. Wes Agar’s 4 for 32 then restricted Renegades […]
David Warner smashed his highest BBL score in 13 years to lead Sydney Thunder to an eight-run victory over Melbourne Renegades on Monday. After a slow start to the tournament, Warner found his form with an unbeaten 86 from 57 balls, guiding Thunder to 156 for 4. Wes Agar’s 4 for 32 then restricted Renegades to 148 for 8, securing Thunder’s first win at Engie Stadium in 734 days and sending the Renegades down to third place on the table.
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Sydney Thunder moved up to second place on the BBL table, just behind cross-town rivals Sydney Sixers, while Melbourne Renegades slipped to third with a 2-2 record after their eight-run loss. Thunder’s victory was built around David Warner’s brilliant 86* off 57 balls, which guided them to 156 for 4. Wes Agar’s superb 4 for 32 helped restrict the Renegades to 148 for 8, marking Thunder’s first win at Engie Stadium in 734 days.
The loss came despite an extraordinary fielding effort from Will Sutherland, who produced what could be the catch of the summer to dismiss Sam Billings for 10. Stationed at mid-on, Sutherland sprinted five meters to his right and leaped back toward the boundary to take a stunning one-handed catch. Billings’ wicket left Thunder at 87 for 4 in the 14th over, a moment that shifted the momentum and left them struggling to post a competitive total.
David Warner took full control of the game after the crucial dismissal of Sam Billings. At 43 off 38 balls when Billings was out, Warner transformed his innings, scoring the next 43 runs off just 19 balls. His approach became more inventive and powerful, with his best shot being a switch-hit for six after initially attempting a reverse sweep against Adam Zampa. He followed it up with another maximum in the next over, scooping quick bowler Fergus O’Neill before hitting the next ball for four with another switch-hit.
Warner’s innings was a masterclass, and it was his highest score since returning to the BBL in 2023, surpassing his previous best from the second game of the competition in 2011-12. His performance powered Thunder to a 3-1 record for the season, setting them up for a commanding victory. In contrast, no Renegades batsman could match his brilliance. Josh Brown was dropped twice before falling for just 22, while opening partner Jake Fraser-McGurk faced 27 balls for a mere 26 runs before being dismissed by Chris Green.
Wes Agar played a pivotal role in dismantling the Renegades’ batting lineup, removing Mackenzie Harvey and Will Sutherland in successive deliveries. Laurie Evans tried to give his side some late hope with a knock of 40, but Agar had him caught behind in the 18th over, effectively sealing the match for Thunder. This all-around performance secured Thunder’s second-place position on the BBL table.
A new attendance record for a Test match in Australia has been set, with over 373,691 spectators attending the four-day Test between Australia and India at the MCG. This remarkable achievement surpassed the previous record of 350,534, set during a Test between Australia and England in 1937. Cricket Australia confirmed the new milestone early on the fifth day when 51,371 fans had already entered the ground for the first session, and by the afternoon, the total had swelled to 74,362.
This record-breaking attendance means that more people attended the 2024 MCG Boxing Day Test than the 1937 encounter, which was played over six days. The exceptional crowds over the five days reflected the massive interest in this series, with daily attendance numbers of 87,242, 85,147, 83,073, 43,867, and 74,362, respectively. It’s a rare occurrence for the crowd on the final day to exceed that of the fourth, highlighting the growing enthusiasm for the match.
The Melbourne Cricket Club, which manages the MCG, faced some logistical challenges with the overwhelming turnout. They had to open up Yarra Park for public parking on day five, a rare move, but only one gate was open, which created significant traffic congestion. As a result, many fans arrived late, unable to get in before play started.
The extraordinary attendance at this Test match follows the huge crowds drawn to the MCG during the 2022 T20 World Cup, where 90,293 fans witnessed India’s clash with Pakistan, and 82,507 attended the India-Zimbabwe game. The consistent high turnout further cements the MCG’s status as one of the premier venues for international cricket.
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