All-round Kallis sinks Scorchers

Sydney Thunder 3 for 179 (Kallis 70, Blizzard 47) beat Perth Scorchers 5 for 159 (Carberry 69*, Kallis 2-24) by 20 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Jacques Kallis' second half-century of the season sent Sydney Thunder on their way to a 20-run victory against Perth Scorchers at the WACA ground. In addition to slamming a 49-ball 70, Kallis also picked up two key wickets in the space of five deliveries to hamper Scorchers' chase.

Kallis had scored an unbeaten 97 against Brisbane Heat, but managed a total of just 3 from his next two games, as Thunder succumbed to consecutive defeats. On the first day of 2015 though, Kallis was back to his assured self, drilling nine fours and two sixes, including 18 off an over from Matt Dixon. Aiden Blizzard provided Kallis ample support during a 74-run partnership, scoring 47, before late surges from the captain Michael Hussey (36) and Eoin Murgen (16) lifted Thunder to 3 for 179.

Scorchers were pegged back early in their chase, as a number of quick blows from Jacques Kallis (2 for 24), Nathan Haurtiz (2 for 34) and Josh Lalor (1 for 23) reduced them to 4 for 41 inside seven overs. Michael Carberry took charge of the chase, hitting 69 off 48 balls with eight fours and a six, but he was left with too much to do in too little time, as his partners at the other end struggled to score with the same intensity. Ashton Agar, who made Australia's squad for the SCG Test, hit an unbeaten 27-ball 31, but Scorchers could only manage 5 for 159, falling to their second loss of the season.