Sydney Sixers, on Monday, defeated Melbourne Renegades by six wickets to register their fourth victory in the ongoing season of Big Bash League.
Chasing 171, the Sixers got off to a flying start as Daniel Hughes and Michael Lumb added 72 runs for the first wicket before the former was dismissed by Sunil Narine. 10 runs later, Thisara Perera dismissed Lumb to revive his team’s hopes of making a comeback into the match, but Nic Maddinson (26) and Moises Henriques (30) did not allow the hosts to make further inroads. However, the Renegades bowled with discipline towards the end that left Sixers needing nine runs from the final over with Brad Haddin and Jordan Silk at the crease. James Pattinson started the over with a dot ball before conceding a four and a double on a no-ball that allowed Sixers to gain control of the match. On the next ball, which was a free hit, Haddin mistimed his straight shot to long on but as per the rules, he was not out and completed two runs in the process to take his team home.
Earlier, Aaron Finch led his team from the front with a fighting fifty as his team posted 170 for 6 in their 20 overs. The Renegades made a poor start as West Indies off-spinner Sunil Narine, who was again promoted in the batting order, failed with the bat again and could score only four. Cameron White (19) could not score big either before Finch along with Tom Cooper (39) steadied the ship with a 72-run partnership. Towards the end of the innings, the Sixers bowlers managed to dismiss Finch and Thisara Perera (6) before they could break lose, which helped the hosts restrict Renegades to a decent total.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the match:
The sixers look a solid team with Maddo and lumb in the top order and Haddin batting in the middle. Dark horse to win this thing #BBL06
— RickyV (@trickyricky_12) January 9, 2017
Ah the @RenegadesBBL of old has shown up. Last place looking the goods again for the boys! #BBL06
— Josh Forner (@joshfornermusic) January 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/ArjGiese/status/818411070956007424
Start of the @BigBashLeague tipped @RenegadesBBL but w/out @DJBravo47 now don't fancy their chances, Pattinson/Tremain leak far too mny runs
— Adrian Thomas (@a_thomas1958) January 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/tegangeorge/status/818423187994132480
https://twitter.com/SusieGiese/status/818411892838256641
Aaron Finch, death bowler, wicket-keeper, occasional batsman. #BBL06
— Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) January 9, 2017
A rather versatile #BBL06 campaign for Aaron Finch; captain, opener, death bowler and keeper.
— Greg Bird (@GBird612) January 9, 2017
Quality 50 from @AaronFinch5 assessed the situation & conditions perfectly. #BBL06 #getonred
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) January 9, 2017
Most games as captain – @BBL
30 – AARON FINCH
29 – Cameron White
23 – Botha, Henriques, Hopes, MHussey, Paine #BBL06 @RenegadesBBL— Swamp (@sirswampthing) January 9, 2017