SYDNEY Sixers have reclaimed top spot on the BBL|14 ladder and effectively ended Adelaide Strikers’ season in one fell swoop with their tense final over victory at Adelaide Oval last night. Sean Abbott hit the winning run with a ball to spare as his side chased down the Strikers’ formidable 5-182 total.

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It was another case of the experienced Sixers finding a way to get it done, with their chase headlined by Steve Smith‘s quickfire 52 off 31 balls. It was the International star’s eighth half-century in the competition, raising the bat during the eighth over having faced just 27 deliveries.

Smith motored through the Power Play despite losing opening partner Josh Philippe (8) in the second over. He hit 34 of the Sixers’ 47 runs to that point, taking strike for 16 of a possible 24 balls. Though, his dismissal at the hands of Jamie Overton (2-35) sparked a collapse on either side of the halfway mark.

Overton made it a double breakthrough by removing Jordan Silk (3), before Moises Henriques (15) was trapped in front by Lloyd Pope (2-33) despite appearing to have got an inside edge on the ball. Unfortunately for the Sixers captain, his side’s review had been used unsuccessfully on Silk.

Sydney was in free fall, losing 3-4 within the space of five balls as the required run rate began to climb back over 10. Fast forward to the 16th over, and 56 runs were left to accrue when Lachlan Shaw (32 off 21) and Ben Dwarshuis (30 off 23) chose to take the Power Surge.

After the surge, Sydney still needed 35 off 18 deliveries, which was then brought down to 23 off 12. Pope took the all important 19th over and bowled beautifully to remove Shaw, but tossed up one too many as Hayden Kerr launched a crucial six off his final delivery to leave 10 required off the last set of six.

Abbott faced up to Henry Thornton and quickly got the set Kerr back on strike. A boundary made things easier, before Thornton coughed up a wide to make it a run per the final four balls required. Never panicked, the Sixers sealed the deal to set up a blockbuster Sydney Smash on Friday.

Earlier, the Strikers were sent in to bat and sunk to 3-35 after the Power Play thanks to Todd Murphy‘s brilliant sole over. He removed both set batters – left-handers D’Arcy Short (10 off 9) and Alex Carey (18 off 13) – but interestingly was not called upon for the remainder of the innings.

The quickfire wickets left import Ollie Pope (57 off 39) and veteran Alex Ross (48 off 47) to rebuild. They combined to reach a run-a-ball 37 before taking the Power Surge, where they remained together while adding 31 runs to take the score into triple figures.

Their fourth wicket stance ended on 97 (69) as Ollie Pope became Jack Edwards‘ (2-22) second victim. Ross departed short of a half-century with just nine balls remaining, leaving Jamie Overton to complete an unbeaten 32 off 14 and finish the innings alongside debutant Harry Manenti (8* off 3).

A whopping 29 runs came after Ross’ dismissal, including 21 in the final over. Having been 3-35 after five overs and 3-65 at halfway, the Strikers smashed 117 off the last 10 overs to put up a more than respectable total. In the end, it was just short of par against the remarkable Sixers.

A double chance in finals, and potentially top spot, will be on the line when the Sixers take on the Thunder at the SCG tomorrow. Meanwhile, the Strikers remain two points adrift from the top four with only an away clash against Perth Scorchers remaining, on Saturday night.

SCORECARD

RESULT: Sixers win by three wickets with one ball remaining.
POTM: Steve Smith (Sydney Sixers)
BAT FLIP: Sixers won and elected to bowl.

Adelaide Strikers 5-182 (20)
Ollie Pope 57 (39), Alex Ross 48 (37), Jamie Overton 32* (14)
Todd Murphy 1-2 (1), Jack Edwards 2-22 (3), Ben Dwarshuis 1-38 (4)

Sydney Sixers 7-183 (19.5)
Steve Smith 52 (31), Lachlan Shaw 32 (21), Ben Dwarshuis 30 (32)
Lloyd Pope 2-33 (4), Jamie Overton 2-35 (4), Jordan Buckingham 1-23 (3)

INNINGS BREAKDOWN:

Power Play (1-4):
Strikers: 1-33
Sixers: 1-47

Halfway (10):
Strikers: 3-65
Sixers: 4-92

Power Surge:
Strikers (12-13): 3-72 to 3-103 (0-31)
Sixers (16-17): 5-127 to 6-148 (1-21)

Totals:
Strikers: 5-182 (20)
Sixers: 7-183 (19.5)

STANDINGS

1. Sydney Sixers | 6-2, 1 NR | 13 points | 0.16 NRR
2. Hobart Hurricanes | 6-1, 1 NR | 13 points | 0.12 NRR
3. Sydney Thunder | 5-3, 1 NR | 11 points | 0.34 NRR
4. Melbourne Stars | 4-5 | 8 points | -0.07 NRR
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5. Brisbane Heat | 3-4, 1 NR | 7 points | -0.86 NRR
6. Adelaide Strikers | 3-6 | 6 points | 0.07 NRR
7. Perth Scorchers | 3-6 | 6 points | 0.06 NRR
8. Melbourne Renegades | 3-6 | 6 points, 0.03 NRR

REMAINING FIXTURES

Brisbane Heat vs. Hobart Hurricanes
Thursday January 16 @ The Gabba

Sydney Sixers vs. Sydney Thunder
Friday January 17 @ SCG

Melbourne Renegades vs. Brisbane Heat
Saturday January 18 @ Marvel Stadium

Perth Scorchers vs. Adelaide Strikers
Saturday January 18 @ Perth Stadium

Melbourne Stars vs. Hobart Hurricanes
Sunday January 19 @ MCG

FINALS SCHEDULE

Qualifier: 1st vs. 2nd | January 21
Knockout: 3rd vs. 4th | January 22
Challenger: Qualifier loser vs. Knockout winner | January 24
Final: Qualifier winner vs. Challenger winner | January 27