After rain interruption, Sydney Sixers returned to defend 117, and quick Josh Hazlewood, spin duo Nathan Lyon and Steve O’Keefe mowed down Melbourne’s top order to effectively seal the match.
Sydney: Sydney Sixers won their second Big Bash League title as they beat Melbourne Stars by 19 runs in a rain-hit final in front of a jubilant crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.
Sydney Sixers triumphed in the BBL final to clinch the trophy for a second time. Image: Twitter/SixersBBL
Josh Philippe’s half century powered the hosts to a competitive 116-5 in a contest that had a delayed start after being reduced to 12-overs-a-side following heavy rain.
When they returned to defend the total, quick Josh Hazlewood and spin duo Nathan Lyon and Steve O’Keefe mowed down Melbourne’s top order to effectively seal the match for the 2011-12 inaugural champions.
Nick Larkin made 38 not out but the Stars never really got going and managed only 97-6 in their 12 overs.
“We improved throughout the season, we kept getting better and I’m just very happy with it,” said emotional Sydney skipper Moises Henriques.
“They are a fantastic cricket team, a very dangerous cricket side. We held our composure very well.
“Our bowlers have been fantastic all season... I’m a very lucky captain to have those five bowlers to call on,” he added also referring to Sean Abbott and Ben Dwarshuis.
@BBL CHAMPIONS AGAIN !!! pic.twitter.com/ZgSNfV8Q6F
— Sydney Sixers (@SixersBBL) February 8, 2020
Earlier, Melbourne Stars captain Glenn Maxwell elected to field after winning the bat flip and had reasons to feel vindicated as his bowlers kept the hosts on a tight leash.
Daniell Worall dismissed James Vince for two and Maxwell (2-17) himself claimed the important wicket of Steve Smith, who made 21 off 12 balls.
Philippe (52) helped the team reach a competitive score and smacked three sixes in his 29-ball blitz.
Melbourne were rocked early in their chase though.
Lyon dismissed Marcus Stoinis in the first over and Melbourne slumped to 18-3 in the third when O’Keefe trapped Maxwell lbw.
Their problems increased when Peter Handscomb ran himself out in the fifth over.
#SydneySixers Big Bash Champions 2019-2020
Champions & Runners Up:
Perth Scorchers
Sydney Sixers
Melbourne Renegades
Adelaide Strikers
Brisbane Heat
Sydney Thunder
Melbourne Stars
Hobart Hurricanes #BBLFinals #nzvInd #bbl09 https://t.co/ia5nWZv6ln pic.twitter.com/jMBqOKsRzD— ZEUS (@Zeus66sport) February 8, 2020
Larkin battled on but his defiance merely reduced the margin of defeat for the Stars who failed in their third attempt to win in the final, having also lost last year and in 2015-16.
“Unfortunately we let ourselves down tonight but they can be proud,” Maxwell said of his team. “Two finals in a row, we’ve been extremely consistent. Onwards and upwards to next year.”
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BBL 2021-2022 Final Live Score, Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers, Cricket Match Updates: Something to smile about in that over for the Sixers as Lenton hit a FOUR. O'Keefe kept swinging and missing. Three more singles made it 7 off the over.
The 11th season of the eight-franchise Twenty20 tournament will get under way when reigning champions Sydney Sixers take on the Melbourne Stars at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the first of 56 games over 46 days.
It was revenge for the Scorchers who were beaten by their arch-rivals in the decider last season.