BBL 5 Match 4 Review: Sydney Sixers v Hobart Hurricanes, Sixers hammer Hurricanes in a one-sided affair

The Sydney Sixers continued their winning momentum in fine commanding style by punishing the hapless Hobart Hurricanes in one of the most one-sided matches ever witnessed in BBL history. Trying to be too cute in the shortest format of the game can sometimes invite big trouble, and this is exactly what happened with the Hobart outfit that came up with some bizarre tactics throughout the match played at the historic SCG. Winning the toss the home side had no hesitation in deciding to bat first. Shaun Tait, bowling consistently around the 145kmph mark, gave his team a perfect start in the first over of the match by removing Michael Lumb.

Common sense would have suggested that Tait would have bowled the 3rd over as well with Hurricanes looking to double the advantage, however, Tim Paine made a bizarre move by giving his fastest bowler jut one over and bringing on the occasional off-spin of Ben Dunk in the 3rd over. He gave 10 runs and the Sixers got the moment they were looking for to break free. Brad Haddin and Nic Maddinson took the bowlers and despite some hits, misses and balls landing in no man’s land, the two generally connected well. At the end of the power play, the score was 70/1 as Haddin in particular, looked in murderous mood.

The first ball of the non-power play overs witnessed the wicket of Maddinson who made 21 off 11 including 1 six and 3 fours. Sydney’s skipper Moises Henriques was soon run out for 11 off 14 largely due to Haddin’s mistake who was stuck ball watching. The former Aussie wicket-keeper though played the perfect knock as per the demands of the situation. He hit a belligerent 72 off 45 balls including 2 sixes and 8 fours. Jordan Silk’s attacking 41 off just 25 including 2 sixes was the other brilliant knock of the innings as the Sixers reached 186/7 at the end of overs. Cameron Boyce and Tait finished with wickets being the two most successful bowlers for the visitors.

The home side opened the bowling with two classy off-spinners, Nathan Lyon and Johan Botha. Lyon picked up the wickets of Tim Paine and the Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara in the first over that put the visiting team immediately on the back foot in the run chase. Paine came out and chipped the ball that straight into the hands of Henriques at mid-on, while Sangakkara went for a first-ball duck as came down the track trying to loft the ball over the infield, however, hit it straight into the hands of Bollinger at mid-on. The score read 0/2 courtesy some bizarre shot selections from the two experienced batsmen. Ben Dunk was cleaned up by Doug Bollinger for 1 in the third over as the left-arm pacer replaced Botha. Dan Christian was soon run out while the likes of Jonathan Wells and birthday boy Darren Sammy also failed to stay at the crease.

Bailey kept playing his shots even as wickets continued to tumble around him. He remained unbeaten on 62 off 45 including 8 fours and 1 six. His was the only double digit score in a sorry looking scorecard. The Hobart outfit was completely outplayed in all facets of the game and eventually suffered a humiliating loss by 95 runs. Nathan Lyon gave a timely reminder to the Australian selectors ahead of the limited overs series against India by picking up 5/23 from 3.5 overs in a superb spell of spin bowling. Steve O’Keefe also was impressive with figures of 2/17 from 4 overs.

Brief Scores:

Sydney Sixers: 186/7 in 20 overs (B Haddin 72; C Boyce 2/25)

Hobart Hurricanes: 91/10 in 15.5 overs (Bailey 62; N Lyon 5/23)

Man of the Match: Brad Haddin (Sydney Sixers)

Watch: Cameron White hits a splendid tennis-like shot for a six in BBL 5