Sydney Sixers regained the bragging rights with a 30-run victory against cross-town rival Sydney Thunder. In a rain-affected BBL encounter at the Spotless Stadium. Before Kerr and Pope choke Thunder, Hughes and Christain assist in setting up the 173 target.
Rain forced the match to be reduced to a 16-over per side fight twice during the Sixers’ innings, but it had little effect on the two-time reigning champions, who proved too powerful in the ‘Sydney Smash.’
Sydney Sixers’ underutilized middle order propelled them to a high total, and Thunder’s chase was stymied by their depleted attack.
The Sydney Sixers’ middle line is unstoppable
The Sixers’ innings was only delayed for seven minutes in the third over, but Josh Philippe, the BBL’s leading runscorer, struggled to resume and fell to an uncharacteristically loose shot shortly after the resumption.
After the game was reduced, play was halted after 7 overs for 30 minutes, and the Sixers realized they had to boost the ante. Even as James Vince looked in sweet touch in a reminder of his talents while his countrymen toiled at the MCG, Daniel Hughes did just that with a six on the second ball after the resumption.
Vince tumbled just as he appeared to be on his way to something exceptional, as has been his habit, but incoming Moises Henriques crushed a first-ball six off Daniel Sams to announce the Sixers’ intentions.
Hughes then took over with a quick 25-ball half-century to spark the Sixers’ late drive, which left Thunder ragged and stumped. After scoring just 23 runs in four previous innings. He hammered four sixes in nine deliveries in his first meaningful innings of the season.
Sixers’ middle order hasn’t been relied on much due to Philippe and Henriques’ dominance. But they showed their potency with Dan Christian delivering the finishing touches. With a brilliant 17-ball 41 as Sixers pounded 91 runs off the final six overs.
Thunder has a hard time under duress. Saqib Mahmood was a coveted acquisition for Thunder. And he made an immediate impact with four wickets in his BBL debut against Brisbane Heat. Mahmood bowled a decent line and length to start the innings against Sixers. But it was in the 12th over – the only power surge over – that he really showed his worth.
The Sixers’ offensive, despite being shorthanded, is impressive
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The addition of Pakistani legspinner Shadab Khan to the injury-plagued Sixers has generated a lot of buzz. But his season debut will have to wait due to some odd Covid-19 rules. Shadab, who was listed as an X-factor, could only play if he tested negative for Covid-19. By the 10-over mark of the first innings, when substitutes were needed.
An aggressive Jason Sangha offered Thunder small hope. With a scorching 47 in his second game of the season, but his expulsion in the 10th over ruined their prospects.
The home crowd erupted in applause after Sams’ late hitting, but the Sixers maintained their composure.
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