Sydney Thunder started the BBL 2019-20 with a 29-run win against Brisbane Heat to register their maiden win at the Gabbatior. Callum Ferguson’s unbeaten 44-ball 73 played a key role in powering the Thunder to 172/6. Ferguson struck six fours and three maximums to rescue Thunder from 38/3 in 5 overs. The Brisbane Heat’s chase was on a downslide after the 17-run first over. No batsman even got to 30-run mark for the hosts who were bundled out for only 143.

All the statistical highlights from the tournament opener of the Big Bash League 2019-20:

A first in Brisbane for the Thunder:

1 – This was Sydney Thunder’s maiden BBL victory at the Gabba in Brisbane. They lost their first three matches at this venue while the 2018-19 edition match ended without a result due to power outage.

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2 – Only the 2nd time that the Thunder have defeated the Brisbane Heat in the 10 BBL meetings. The Brisbane team won seven matches while another game ended without a result. Thunder’s first win against Heat came in the 2014-15 season at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

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Contrasting starts to a season:

3-6 – Brisbane Heat has won their first match of a BBL edition only three times and lost in remaining six. They won their opening match of the 2013/14, 2016/17 and 2017/18 editions.

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6-3 – Sydney Thunder now has won their season opener in six editions thus far. They lost their first match of a BBL edition on three occasions; all while facing Sydney Sixers.

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Khawaja @ 1000:

26 – Innings Usman Khawaja needed for completing 1000 runs in Big Bash League. He is the 3rd fastest player to reach this milestone. Shaun Marsh got to 1000 BBL runs in only 22 innings while D’Arcy Short needed 24 innings for this feat.

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1014 – Usman Khawaja has scored all his 1014 BBL runs for Sydney Thunder. He is only the 2nd player after Shane Watson to aggregate 1000 BBL runs for Sydney Thunder. Both Khawaja and Watson have 1014 BBL runs for the Thunder at the end of the opening match of the BBL 2019-20.

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Lynn goes past Klinger:

1954 – Chris Lynn became the leading run-getter in the Big Bash League with the lone six he has hit in this match. He now has 1954 runs in the BBL and surpassed Michael Klinger’s tally of 1947 BBL runs.

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Cutting @ 1000:

1010 – Ben Cutting became the 28th player to go past 1000-run mark in the Big Bash League. He is only the 2nd player to the milestone for the Brisbane Heat in the BBL. Chris Lynn leads the list with 1954 runs.