Daniel Hughes produced an outstanding display as Sydney Sixers inflicted Brisbane Heat's first defeat of the Big Bash League season with a three-wicket win.
Opener Hughes scored 85 runs off 55 balls to equal the Sixers' highest ever total as it successfully chased down a total of 186 to triumph in a tense finale at the Gabba.
The visitor required just three runs off the final over, but Hughes was dismissed by Ben Cutting (2-44) from the first ball, though Sean Abbott's (7) maximum secured the win with two balls to spare.
Jimmy Peirson (44) and Brendon McCullum (30) started explosively for Brisbane, but Abbott (3-38) brought their 73-run partnership to an end after the powerplay when McCullum looped a top edge to Johan Botha on the midwicket boundary.
Chris Lynn, who did not feature much in the field due to injury, scored a combined 169 off 98 balls in his past two outings, but only put on 13 before falling to Abbott.
Joe Burns kept Brisbane on track with an unbeaten 51, but Hughes, who wracked up 11 boundaries, had other ideas as he propelled Sydney forward in the middle overs by scoring 17 runs off one Nick Buchanan (1-29) over.
Brad Haddin (32) matched that feat off Jack Wildermuth (1-16) with a tremendous cameo to close in on victory, but Hughes could not see it out when he dragged an inside edge onto his stumps. Abbott ensured his team-mate's efforts were not in vain, though, capping a fine night via a mishit pull shot that floated over the wicketkeeper for six.
STILL NO JOY FOR ROY
Jason Roy is yet to register a fifty in four appearances in the 2016-17 BBL season, his best performance being when he scored 40 off 22 ball against Hobart Hurricanes on December 23. This time out he put on just seven before being trapped leg before by West Indies international Samuel Badree (1-30).
MAD SKILLS
After being dropped by Australia for the third Test against Pakistan, Nic Maddinson improved upon a disappointing first outing of the season against Sydney Strikers with a fine piece of fielding to dismiss Alex Ross. Maddinson's momentum was taking him beyond the ropes when he initially took in Ross' shot to long-on, quickly throwing it up in the air and collecting at the second attempt after stepping back into the field.
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