BBL: Sixers beat Renegades despite Finch half-century

Captain Finch responded to being dropped for Australia's one-day international series against Pakistan by top scoring with 57 from 44 balls as the Renegades posted 170-6 at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday.

Published : Jan 09, 2017 20:39 IST , Sydney

Sydney Sixers wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin held his nerve in the final over.
Sydney Sixers wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin held his nerve in the final over.
lightbox-info

Sydney Sixers wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin held his nerve in the final over.

Sydney Sixers moved up to second in the Big Bash League with a six-wicket win over Melbourne Renegades despite a half-century from Aaron Finch.

Captain Finch responded to being dropped for Australia's one-day international series against Pakistan by top scoring with 57 from 44 balls as the Renegades posted 170-6 at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday.

Tom Cooper and Callum Ferguson also chipped in with 39 apiece, but Ben Dwarshuis took 3-35 to restrict the Renegades - looking for an immediate response to their derby defeat against Melbourne Stars - to a par score.

Daniel Hughes (41 from 29) and Michael Lumb (31 off 22) put on 72 in just 7.4 overs for the first wicket in the Sixers' reply, but Sunil Narine (2-30) and debutant Thisara Perera (2-26) dismissed the openers in quick succession.

> Steve O'Keefe pulled out of Big Bash for India tour

Narine struck again when Nic Maddinson (26 off 17) was stumped and skipper Moises Henriques failed to see his side home after making a quickfire 30 as light rain fell.

A tight penultimate over from Perera left the home side needing nine to win off the last six balls from James Pattinson, who was hit for four by Brad Haddin before the paceman over-stepped to give away another two runs.

Haddin launched the free hit down the ground and was caught, but came through for the two to win in a strange finale.

EVERGREEN HADDIN HOLDS HIS NERVE

The Sixers made hard work of what looked set to be a comfortable victory for much of its run chase, but Haddin held his nerve in the final over.

Sri Lanka all-rounder Perera, a replacement for the injured Dwayne Bravo, conceded just seven runs from the penultimate over after only six came from an 18th bowled by Matthew Short.

The tension increased when Pattinson started the last over with a dot ball, but Haddin cut him for six and came through for the winning runs after he was caught in the deep following a no-ball that all but ended the contest.

FINCH THE JACK OF ALL TRADES

Finch said he had no arguments after being overlooked for international duty due to a lack of runs, but the destructive opener let his batting do the talking by holding the innings together.

Having raised eyebrows by bowling the decisive final over in a recent defeat to Perth Scorchers, the skipper took over as wicketkeeper at the SCG after Peter Nevill was taken off by the doctor for tests after taking a blow to the head.

Nevill was able to return, leaving Finch to consider what role he could perform next.

LYON WICKET-LESS IN O'KEEFE'S ABSENCE

Australia Test duo Nathan Lyon and Jackson Bird were included in the Sixers' side following their exploits in the Test series whitewash of Pakistan.

Bird proved to be expensive, taking 1-39 from his four overs, while Lyon was wicket-less and went for 24 from the three overs he sent down.

> Stuart O'Keefe was not involved after Cricket Australia withdrew him from the rest of the tournament, surely pointing towards selection the spinner for the Test series in India.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment