BBL 2016/17: Sydney Sixers Chase Mammoth 187 Against Brisbane Heat In A Thriller
Dec 21, 2018 at 4:20 PM
Brad Haddin led Sydney Sixers held on to their nerves and produced a win in a last over thriller against Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League match at Gabba in Brisbane on Tuesday.
The visitors opted to field first after winning the toss. Brendon McCullum and Jimmy Peirson started off quite well for the host, putting up 73 for the first wicket partnership before former Kiwi skipper lost his wicket to Sean Abbott on 30. Walking in next was Chris Lynn. After whacking a couple of lusty blows into the stands, the right-handed batsman found Jason Roy in deep, giving Abbott his second wicket of the match.
The hosts then lost three wickets withing next five overs before Joe Burns took it upon him to guide his side past the par score. His unbeaten 51 helped Brisbane put up a mammoth total of 186 for six on the board. Seamer Sean Abbott finished with the best figures of three for 38.
Chasing a huge total of 187 runs, Sixers lost England’s Jason Roy early on for just seven. Much before Nic Maddison and opener Daniel Hughes could pile up more runs, Ben Cutting gave them the breakthrough, dismissing the rookie Maddinson for 24.
Sixers were reduced for 91 for four by the end of eleven overs. With 95 runs required to chase in nine overs, Brisbane Heat looked a bit comfortable in taking the match home. However, the equation seemed to change after Brad Haddin send some balls deep into the crowd.
The left-handed Hughes, in the due course, completed his fifty and marched his side close to attaining a big win. With few more twist and tales left in the kitty, the match came down to the last over with Sixers needing three runs off six balls.
Cutting first dismissed well settled Hughes for 85 before giving just one run in next two deliveries. Two runs and three balls, the first innings hero for the visitors Sean Abbott, then glanced one over the keeper’s head for a six, sealing a thriller for Sydney Sixers by four wickets.