Twitter Reactions: Josh Philippe, Moises Henriques take Sydney Sixers to record win in BBL 2021-22 opener

The 2021-22 edition of the Big Bash League (BBL) got underway with a one-sided affair. Defending champions Sydney Sixers couldn’t have made a better start to their campaign as they thrashed Melbourne Stars by 152 runs at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday (December 5). Chasing a mammoth 214, the Stars never really looked in the hunt and got bundled out for mere 61.

Earlier in the game, Melbourne Stars won the toss and opted to bowl first. Openers Josh Philippe and James Vince resumed from where they left off last season. The duo attacked bowlers from the outset and added 90 runs for the first wicket in no time. While Vince got out for a quick-fire 44, the wicketkeeper-batter continued his onslaught.

Josh Philippe, Moises Henriques tormented Melbourne Stars bowlers

Philippe got another substantial partner in Moises Henriques, who also looked in some mood. The duo continued tormenting Melbourne bowlers, pushing the Glenn Maxwell-led side further back. From Adam Zampa to Sam Rainbird, none of the Melbourne bowlers looked effective on the flat deck. Philippe even looked all set to reach the three-figure mark.

However, he fell prey to Rainbird at 83. On the other hand, Henriques returned unbeaten at 76 as Sixers posted a mammoth 213/4 in their allotted 20 overs. While the Melbourne-based side was expected to put up a fight with the bat, they suffered a shocking collapse. Veteran left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe spun his web around and ran through Melbourne’s batting line-up.

While Peter Nevill (18) was Stars’ highest run-scorer in the game, Hilton Cartwright (10) was the only other batter to reach double figures. For Sydney Sixers, Steve O’Keefe scalped four wickets while Sean Abbott got a three-fer. As a result, the Stars got bundled out for 61, losing the contest by a colossal margin of 152 runs. Notably, this is the biggest win in terms of runs in BBL history.

This victory meant Sixers have three points to their tally while Stars will have wait for few days to open their account. The Moises Henriques-led side will next meet Hobart Hurricanes on December 8 at the Aurora Stadium in Launceston.  On the other hand, Glenn Maxwell’s men would like to open their account in their next assignment against Sydney Thunder on December 10.

Meanwhile, let’s look at how Twitterati reacted to Sydney Sixers’ triumph: