The Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder are currently facing each other in the 14th match of the Big Bash League 2024-25 (BBL 2024-25) at Manuka Oval in Canberra. This encounter saw a disappointing moment for Melbourne Stars against Sydney Thunder.
In the 13th over of the Sydney Thunder innings at Manuka Oval, Sam Billings, facing Melbourne Stars off-spinner Peter Siddle, played a shot just outside off stump and tapped it to short third. Billings led off for a single but was slow to get his bat down.
The Melbourne Stars failed a sell-out review; Sam Billings is making the most of his opportunity in the 2024-25 BBL fixture
There was a direct hit on the player's end that almost resulted in the ball being run out. But the referee did not refer the decision to the third official, as it was not clear whether there would be an appeal from the Melbourne Stars.
The throw bounced off the stumps and into a gap, allowing Sam Billings and Jason Sangha to steal an extra run against the Melbourne Stars in the ongoing BBL 2024-25 encounter.
Replays showed that Billings was below the crease, but as no appeal was made, the umpires did not send the call for a closed review to the third official.
This incident left former Melbourne Stars captain Glenn Maxwell and current captain Marcus Stoinis disappointed. In the viral video, Glenn Maxwell was seen upset after commentators told him Billings was out.
Glenn Maxwell's reaction to the missed opportunity goes viral:
No one appealed 😳
Sam Billings was well short of his crease here, but somehow he survived, and Maxie couldn't believe it! #bubble14 pic.twitter.com/BUY1E5K6Hb
– KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 28, 2024
“You're kidding me”
Glenn Maxwell's reaction upon finding out was priceless 😂
📺 Watch #bubble14 Live on class. 501 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/sOOmnqoiEr
✍️ Blog https://t.co/di5uUJygLs
🔢 Match center https://t.co/IhbQH2CxdL pic.twitter.com/HYBlTB5T6d– Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) December 28, 2024
But the missed opportunity cost the Stars dearly, as Sam Billings went on to play a thundering knock of 72 off 39 balls laced with nine boundaries and two sixes for the Thunder.
Billings also added 60 runs off 44 balls with Jason Sangha (33) and 33 runs with Rutherford to help Sydney Thunder post a challenging 182/8 on the board in 20 overs against the Melbourne Stars.
Peter Siddle eventually got rid of Sam Billings but the damage had already been done
Interestingly, it was Peter Seidel who eventually fired Sam Billings. Siddle sends a slower ball, long back and wide, tempting Billings to go for a big shot. However, the Englishman got a thick bottom edge, and the ball hit the stumps.
Billings and Sangha were the top scorers for the Sydney Thunder, with captain David Warner scoring just 19 points against the Stars. Beau Webster was the standout bowler for the Stars with a three-wicket haul, while Osama Mir and Siddle both picked up two wickets against the Thunder.
In the target chase, Melbourne Stars got off to a poor start as Sam Harper gave away his opener cheaply for 4 runs in the first over, followed by skipper Marcus Stoinis (22) and Glenn Maxwell (6). However, Ben Duckett (48*) still keeps his hopes alive alongside Hilton Cartwright (12*).