BBL 07, Match 32 Review: Sydney Sixers continue their winning momentum

It has been a season of two halves for the Sydney Sixers and after getting tormented in the first half, they found some very important momentum. They lost their first six games and were virtually out of contention to make it to the playoffs. Despite a stunning win, the other results in the League have ensured the Sixers are officially out of the tournament.

After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, the Sixers bowlers ran riot. Brendon McCullum led Brisbane Heat started the tournament on a brilliant note, but eventually, they fell off the cliff. Their catastrophic turnaround in fortunes was summed up in today’s game against the Sixers, where they never managed to match up with their opponents.

It was a horrendous batting display from the Heat. After dismantling so many lineups in the past few years, their batsmen stuttered very badly. Their top three walked back in the first four overs and they never looked like settling in. Alex Ross and Jimmy Pierson tried to steady the ship, but a certain Sean Abbott made their life miserable in the middle overs.

Ross and Pierson added 31 runs for the fourth wicket, before they got dismissed by Sean Abbott in the 9th over. Nathan Lyon and Carlos Brathwaite chipped in with braces as well, which completely broke the Heat momentum. A completely forgetabble day for the men in light blue, who got bowled out for a paltry 73 runs in 16.4 overs.

Sean Abbott bowled outstandingly for the Sixers, chipping in with four wickets. He gave away just 11 runs in his four overs and was well supported by Nathan Lyon and Carlos Brathwaite. Skipper Johan Botha bowled a terrific spell as well, wher he picked up one wicket and gave away just 13 runs.

As easy as drinking a glass of water!

The ease with which the Sixers chased the total down is difficult to describe even metaphorically. English cricketer Joe Denly, who smashed a fifty on his BBL debut, stitched a decent stand with fellow opener Daniel Hughes. The body language of the fielding team was clearly very bad and the Sydney crowd in full volume didn’t make things easy.

They first added 49 runs for the first wicket and the scoring rate was above 7. Off these 49 runs, Daniel Hughes scored 37 off 28 balls and was cruising towards the target. Yasir Shah, who was expected to make a huge difference in the side, leaked runs. He completed his four over spell and gave away 40 runs. Incidentally, he was the one who picked up the only wicket in the second innings.

Nic Maddinson came in at three and picked up from where he left the other day. He spanked a couple of sixes to help their side chase the small total down exactly in 10 overs. They’ll be looking forward to finish the tournament on a grand note in the next few games.

Brief Scores

Brisbane Heat: 73 all out in 16.4 overs (Sean Abbott 4/11, Nathan Lyon 2/17, Carlos Brathwaite 2/20)

Sydney Sixers: 74/1 in 10 overs (Daniel Hughes 37, Joe Denly 19*)

Player of the match: Sean Abbott

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