Smith stars as Sixers all but dash ‘Canes finals hopes
STEVEN Smith has again starred in a Sydney Sixers masterclass, this time bashing 66 (33) in his side’s 24-run win over the Hobart Hurricanes on Monday night. The visiting side was sent in to bat at Blundstone Arena, and fresh off consecutive centuries, Smith took full toll as opener.
One of the Australian star’s six maximums was parried over the rope when he was on just 25, and he carried on with the chance to notch his fastest ever T20 half-century. Sean Abbott also achieved his own bit of Big Bash history, becoming the first player to take 150 wickets in the competition.
The result means Hobart is now more than likely to miss out on a finals berth, sitting seventh with just one match left to play – against the Brisbane Heat tomorrow. Meanwhile, the Sixers only strengthened their hold on second spot, and will travel to face the Perth Scorchers in Saturday’s qualifier.
Things weren’t always smooth sailing for the Sixers last night though, having suffered a momentary slump in their batting innings. After Smith fell, the middle order struggled to keep pace and the total read 6-121 after 15 overs.
Versatile bowlers Ben Dwarshuis (30) and Abbott (13*) helped prop the score up to 7-180, alongside the steady head of Moises Henriques (23*). Paddy Dooley proved the pick of Hobart’s bowlers with 3-42, while Nathan Ellis (1-27) snared the key wicket of Smith and Faheem Ashraf (1-28) was serviceable.
Unfortunately for the home side and their fans, the chase hardly looked like getting off the ground but English opener Zak Crawley (49) stood tall atop the order. Tim David (24) and Nathan Ellis also pitched in, but the ‘Canes ultimately fell short of a formidable side at 8-156.
En route to a new record, Abbott snared two poles to match the efforts of Jackson Bird (2-26) and Hayden Kerr (2-34), while Izharulhaq Naveed claimed a sole wicket but went at under a run-a-ball across his four-over allotment.
SCORECARD
RESULT: Hobart Hurricanes (8-156) def. by Sydney Sixers (7-180) by 24 runs
POTM: Steven Smith (Sydney Sixers)
TOSS: Hobart Hurricanes won the toss and elected to bowl.
KEY PLAYERS
Hobart Hurricanes:
Zak Crawley 49 (45), Tim David 24 (13), Nathan Ellis 20* (9)
Paddy Dooley 3-42, Nathan Ellis 1-27, Faheem Ashraf 1-28
Sydney Sixers:
Steven Smith 66 (33), Ben Dwarshuis 30 (14), Moises Henriques 23* (16)
Jackson Bird 2-26 (3), Sean Abbott 2-32, Hayden Kerr 2-34
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