[Watch] Daniel Sams plunders 31 runs off a Lloyd Pope over in ST vs AS BBL 2024-25 match

Sydney Thunder all-rounder Daniel Sams took Adelaide Strikers' leggie Lloyd Pope to the cleaners in the third match of the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on Tuesday, December 17. Sams turned the game on its head with his explosive hitting in the penultimate over of the chase as he slammed 31 runs when his side needed 34 off 12 balls.

Strikers captain Matthew Short handed the ball over to Pope for the 19th over. Sams was on strike and started by depositing the first two balls over long-on and mid-wicket for consecutive sixes. 25-year-old Pope then bowled a wide, and Sams followed it with a four and a six to bring the Thunder closer to the target.

The over finished with two boundaries as Sams surged to 41 off only 15 deliveries and brought the equation for his team down to three runs off the last over. Though Jamie Overton dismissed Nathan McAndrew on the first ball of the final over, the Thunder completed the chase with ease to complete a two-wicket win.

Pope had earlier gotten rid of Sherfane Rutherford cheaply and had figures of 3-0-17-1 before the 19th over. However, he eventually finished with an eye-watering 4-0-48-1.

Sam Konstas, who blasted 56 off 27 balls, also played a crucial role in setting up the win for the Thunder.

Daniel Sams had went wicketless with the ball

Although the 32-year-old starred with the bat, Daniel Sams had gone wicketless off his four overs, conceding 44 runs. Overton top-scored for the Adelaide Strikers with a 35-ball 45, while Jake Weatherald (40), Alex Ross (22) and James Bazley (31) chipped in with important contributions to lift the side to 182.

For the Thunder, Lockie Ferguson and Chris Green picked up three wickets each, while leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha took a couple scalps. The Strikers will next face the Melbourne Stars in a home game on December 20, while the Thunder will lock horns with the Sydney Sixers on December 21.