Twitter Reactions: Clinical Sydney Sixers clinch another comprehensive victory

The Sydney Sixers won comprehensively against the Adelaide Strikers in the 26th encounter of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2020-21 to cement their position in the top slot of the table. After being put in, Adelaide Strikers could manage a moderate total of 150 for 4, courtesy of Jonathan Well’s 56-ball 66 and Jake Weatherald’s 24-ball 34. However, keeping the two aside, the other batsmen for the Strikers could not capitalize the way they would have liked.

Phil Salt, having scored just a solitary run, top-edged Ben Dwarshuis’ length ball in the very first over, which was pouched by Carlos Brathwaite. Even before the team could have planned to rebuild the innings after an early shock, Matt Renshaw followed suit and brought his run-a-ball 6 to an end through a failed attempt of reverse sweeping Ben Manenti. Reduced to 7 for 2, after Josh Phillippe completed Renshaw’s catch behind the wickets, the Strikers’ ship was steadied by skipper Alex Carey, who hit a couple of boundaries and a six in his 31 from as many deliveries.

Though Carey added 64 with Wells for the third wicket, neither of the two were able to break loose, and their partnership came in 67 deliveries. Struggling for momentum, the Strikers were respited when Jake Weatherald joined Wells after Carey holed out to Brathwaite at mid-on off the bowling of Dan Christian. Weatherald slammed a couple of sixes and stayed unbeaten at 34 as he added 79 from just 49 for the fourth wicket with Wells, who stood unbeaten after scoring 66 from 56.

Sixers sail through the chase

Chasing a sub-par total, the Sixers bludgeoned their way through as Josh Phillippe thrashed the opponent bowlers right from the start. Having added 47 for the first wicket Jack Edwards (14 from 10), Phillippe (41 from 24) fell to Rashid Khan after he failed to read his wrong’un and got cleaned up. Barring Rashid (3 for 18), who was responsible for all the three dismissals during the Sixers’ response, no other bowler could take wickets or tap the scoring rate.

Rashid was able to spark some hope when he trapped Daniel Hughes LBW during the 11th over, to reduce the Sixers to 80 for 3, however, Jordan Silk produced another spectacular and responsible innings continuing his good form. Adding a match-winning 71 from 46 for the fourth wicket alongside Vince, who himself stood out during his 45 from 33, Silk (38 from 28) ensured that his team did not lose another wicket. Courtesy of the duo’s fuss-free performance with the bat, the Sixers clinched the game by 7 wickets with as many as two overs to spare.