Ball by Ball Commentary & Live Score

Over20

8 runs

MS 177/5CRR: 8.85

James Faulkner 45 (36b 2x4)Peter Handscomb 0 (0b)

Jacques Kallis1/34 (4)

10.45pm Great game here at the G. The Thunder eventually come out trumps after a match of tos and fros, ups and downs and what not. It all looked over when David Hussey was cleaned up, but some significant knocks from KP and Faulkner really got the game back in Stars' favour. 16 to win off 12, they should have done it but as happens with wickets, the match turns completely. In a game of fine margins, it came down to the smallest of small margins. Kallis held his nerve, ensured there were no extras in that last over and stuck to his guns. Thunder go 2-0, Stars go 0-2.

Usman Khawaja is the Man of the Match: 'It see-sawed throughout the game, nothing worse than scoring a 100 and losing. I feel really good, I was a bit worried when I went out there. Very happy with the win.

19.6

Kallis to Faulkner, 2 runs

agony for Stars, short ball on middle, thwacked to deep midwicket and the collect is clean, a good throw to the keeper. Faulkner comes back for two but not the third. Thunder win by 1 run.

4 off 1

19.5

•

Kallis to Faulkner, no run

absolutely massive choice from Faulkner and I reckon it wasn't a bad choice. Good length delivery on off and middle, Faulker gets down and tries to ramp it over fine leg but misses completely.

19.4

•

Kallis to Faulkner, no run

excellent yorker on leg, just misses that leg stump and goes through Faulkner's legs. Vital dot ball.

Four off three now.

19.3

Kallis to Faulkner, 2 runs

slower ball on middle, Faulkner thrashes a pull to deep midwikcet again, he was quick on it and fires a decent throw to the strikers end. Faulkner makes it with a full-length dive.

Faulkner takes his time

19.2

Kallis to Faulkner, 2 runs

short again, whacked to the same fielder again. Rohrer at deep midwicket returns an inaccurate throw, should have had Faulkner but they get two more

19.1

Kallis to Faulkner, 2 runs

shortish delivery on middle, pulled fiercely to deep midwicket and no surprises, Handscomb hares back for the second. there is a direct hit, but Handscomb has made it easily

10 off 6, pressure all around. The MCG is buzzing. Jacques Kallis has the ball. Short third man and short fine leg in place

Over19

6 runs, 1 wicket

MS 169/5CRR: 8.89 RRR: 10.00

James Faulkner 37 (30b 2x4)Peter Handscomb 0 (0b)

Clint McKay1/27 (3)

18.6

McKay to Faulkner, 1 run

another slower ball outside off, slogged to deep midwicket on the bounce. Just the one

18.5

McKay to Faulkner, 2 runs

good yorker on off and middle, pushed to long-on and they race back for the second again

18.4

McKay to Faulkner, 2 runs

low dipping full toss outside off, swiped to long-on. Handscomb races back for the second, a direct hit would have had him

18.3

•

McKay to Faulkner, no run

slower delivery outside off, Faulkner misses his hoick and another dot ball

John: "@Sabyasachi, get over it already. KP will never play for England again, no matter how well he plays. That wasn't the reason he was dropped so why would it be a reason to recall him. The ECB has been clear: he will not play."

18.2

McKay to Pietersen, OUT

gone! Massive wicket. Short delivery on middle, KP goes for the pull and can only top-edge it to fine leg, Fawad nervously gets under it and hold on. Lots of relief from Fawad, but an amazing innings from KP

Kevin Pietersen c Fawad Ahmed b McKay 76 (42b 5x4 6x6 62m) SR: 180.95

kander: "England need kp for the world cup"

18.1

McKay to Faulkner, 1 run

slow dipping full toss outside off, slogged to deep midwicket for one

Just 16 off 12, surely Stars are favourites from here? It is 20-20, though. Won't be surprised with a match-changing over here from McKay

Over18

11 runs

MS 163/4CRR: 9.05 RRR: 8.00

Kevin Pietersen 76 (41b 5x4 6x6)James Faulkner 31 (25b 2x4)

Andre Russell2/28 (4)

17.6

Russell to Pietersen, 2 runs

slower offcutter on leg, KP pushes with discernibly soft hands towards short midwicket for another couple.

Sabyasachi: "Woaw! How can England ignore this KP!"

17.5

Russell to Faulkner, 1 run

full and wide outside off, sliced to deep cover for a single

17.4

Russell to Faulkner, FOUR runs

lovely shot from Faulkner. Short on middle, Faulkner sways out of the line, arches his back and just ramps the ball fine to the third man boundary.

17.3

•

Russell to Faulkner, no run

slower ball outside off, great change in pace by Russell. Faulkner is beaten as well

17.2

Russell to Faulkner, 2 runs

yorker on middle, dug out with bad timing to midwicket for another couple.

17.1

Russell to Faulkner, 2 runs

lovely batting, flicked towards deep midwicket with soft hands for a couple. 25 needed now off 17

Russell to bowl his last over

Over17

24 runs

MS 152/4CRR: 8.94 RRR: 9.00

Kevin Pietersen 74 (40b 5x4 6x6)James Faulkner 22 (20b 1x4)

Gurinder Sandhu0/37 (3)

16.6

Sandhu to Pietersen, SIX runs

KP shuffles across to off, Sandhu presents him an early gift and KP punishes him, a low full toss on middle and leg, KP flicks it past short fine leg for six.

Bharath Seervi: "1000 runs for Pietersen in T20s in 2015. 3rd after Gayle (1578) and L Simmons (1156) to do so."

16.5

Sandhu to Faulkner, 1 run

another good low full toss on middle, whipped to long-on for another single

Thunder vs Stars, 5th Match at Melbourne, Dec 20 2015 - Ball by Ball Commentary