BBL 2016-17, Match 7 Review: Sydney Sixers power to an impressive win

The Sydney Sixers claimed an impressive six-wicket win over the Perth Scorchers in the third match in the second round of the 2016-17 edition of the Big Bash League. This is the Sixers’ second win on the spin after beating the other team in Sydney which is the Sydney Thunder.

The Sixers skipper Moises Henriques lost the toss thereby meaning that the Scorchers would win and take the executive decision to bat first. This would ensure to become one of the poorest decisions in the edition of the BBL given the slowness of the SCG wicket on the day. Only four of the 10 batsmen went on to cross over into the double figures in the Scorchers batting lineup.

The innings began with both Shaun Marsh and Michael Klinger not able to get off to the flier that they usually did in the previous matches they had played in. Thus, Shaun Marsh’s futile need to up the ante was simply quashed by his former Australian teammate Doug Bollinger with Sean Abbott completing the catch in the deep.

The wicket of Marsh was a massive one given the fact that the only next recognizable batsman to come through the ranks for the Perth-based side was only Shaun’s brother Mitchell Marsh. However, in spite of this, Michael Klinger cracked a few boundaries in a bid to exude a bit of confidence for the succeeding batsmen. He was joined by Sam Whiteman who also exuded aggression despite the fact that he looked like the player who wanted to keep his wicket intact. However, Abbott, Somerville, and Bollinger bowling in tandem, the slender top-order simply had no chance on an up and down wicket a the SCG.

Klinger was dismissed four deliveries after his predecessor Shaun Marsh and the Scorchers were in serious trouble. Ian Bell smashed 21 while Whiteman managed an impressive 28 before their 30-odd run stand was eventually broken by Sean Abbott with Johan Botha completing the catch.

The only recognizable contribution after all this came from Mitchell Marsh who also managed to remain unbeaten on 31 at the close of the innings. Adam Voges, the skipper also could not manage much as he was dismissed by the wily Steve O’Keefe. The culmination of all this led the Perth Scorchers to a competitive total of 130/8.

However, while this was competitive enough it was Sam Billings who ensured that the Sixers would go on to enjoy a good start to the innings. In spite of the dismissal of Brad Haddin for just seven and Andrew Tye on the road to impressing with some decent slower yorkers, skipper Moises Henriques and Sam Billings were simply unwilling to lose their wickets.

The duo stitched a partnership before Sam Billings was dismissed on 40 when he attempted one shot too many. However, a few strikes from Henriques who helped himself to an impressive 24 and Johan Botha’s 19-ball 30 helped the Scorchers coast to an impressive six-wicket win. It was Botha who would eventually go on to pick up the man of the match award.

Brief Scores:

Perth Scorchers: 130/8 in 20 overs(M Marsh 31*; W Somerville 2/10)

Sydney Sixers: 132/4 in 18 overs (S Billings 40; A Tye 3/15)

Man of the Match: Johan Botha