Home
Henry Thornton went on a rampage defending a total of 243 for Australia A against Tom Bruce-led New Zealand A at the Allan Border Field, Brisbane. Thornton rushed through New Zealand A’s batting order which included Bruce and Tim Seifert. In doing so, the 26-year-old broke Andrew Symonds’ record for Australia A which was created in 1999 against India A. The New South Wales-born bowler’s 7/39 is the best bowling figures for Australia A in List A cricket (One-Day cricket).
The previous record held by Symonds was created against India A. In 1999, he took six wickets for 14 runs. Two decades later, Andrew Tye took six wickets for 65 runs against Derbyshire in 2019.
Thornton was introduced in the seventh over of the innings. Seifert flashed his blade on a delivery wide of off stump and was caught by Ashton Turner at covers. On the third delivery, Thornton brought the ball into the stumps and it went through Dean Foxcroft’s defense. On the sixth ball, Thornton bowled another one into the stumps but this time Bruce inside-edged it into wicketkeeper Josh Philippe's gloves.
From 46/1, New Zealand A were reduced to 74/6 in the 18th over. Opener Nick Kelly missed his half-century as he departed for 44. In his next over, he got rid of Leo Carter and Cam Fletcher off consecutive deliveries. He took his seventh wicket in the 24th over to break the record. Josh Clarkson outside-edged the ball to the wicketkeeper.
After his record-breaking seven-fer, New Zealand A were bowled out for 135. In the 32nd over they lost the match by a big margin of 108 runs.
Earlier, Bruce won the toss and opted to bat first. Ben McDermott's 59-ball 70 with useful contributions from Matt Renshaw (43) and Philippe (35) helped Australia A post 243 before they got bowled out in the 45th over. For Kiwis, William ORourke was the pick of the bowlers with a four-fer.
Thornton’s moment in the sun
Thornton made headlines in Big Bash League (BBL) 2022-23 when he took five wickets for just three runs from 2.5 overs to bundle out Sydney Thunder for a record-breaking 15.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
Asia Cup 2023: If Pakistan-Sri Lanka match is washed out, who will make the final against India?
Asia Cup 2023: Ravindra Jadeja downs Irfan Pathan to top special records list for bowlers
