SYDNEY Sixers completed another largely successful home-and-away campaign in BBL|14, but for the third consecutive season could not quite pull through when it truly mattered during finals. We recap the Sixers’ efforts, which included six wins and a pair of posteason appearances.

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BY THE NUMBERS

H&A RECORD: 2nd | 6-2, 2 NR | 0.156 NRR
ELIMINATED: The Challenger vs. Sydney Thunder
MOST RUNS: Moises Henriques | 236 @ 29.5 | 124.21 SR | 53* HS
MOST WICKETS: Ben Dwarshuis | 14 @ 25.5 | 9.15 economy | 4-32 BB

RESULTS

Home-and-away:

WIN vs. Melbourne Renegades by 5 wickets
WIN @ Sydney Thunder by 5 wickets
WIN vs. Melbourne Stars by 8 wickets
WIN @ Brisbane Heat by 8 wickets
LOSS @ Hobart Hurricanes by 50 runs
NR vs. Brisbane Heat
LOSS @ Melbourne Stars by 16 runs
WIN vs. Perth Scorchers by 14 runs
WIN @ Adelaide Strikers by 3 wickets
NR vs. Sydney Thunder by 4 wickets

Finals:

Qualifier: LOSS @ Hobart Hurricanes by 12 runs
Challenger: LOSS vs. Sydney Thunder by 4 wickets

THE STORY

It was elementary for the Sixers during the home-and-away campaign as they earned another finals double chance. They won the first four games on the trot before a mid-season stumble, dropping their first points to eventual champion, Hobart on the road. One loss became two at the hands of the resurgent Melbourne Stars – another top four side – before steadying the ship with a pair of wins heading into finals. The Sixers were made to lean on their double chance after again losing to the Hurricanes away, and again fell short in the postseason after being eliminated by local rivals, the Thunder.

THE HIGHLIGHT

Collectively, the Sixers’ four-game winning streak was clearly the high point of their season, though a pair of victories within that run were particularly sweet. The opening win against Melbourne Renegades looked unlikely at 5-126 chasing 170, before skipper Moises Henriques pulled a Lazarus-like innings of 53* (27) out the bag. Just five days later, they notched up another Sydney Smash victory thanks to Ben Dwarshuis‘ heroics at the death, having needed 15 off the final over. They just know how to get it done.

THE LOWLIGHT

If the first Sydney derby result was among the Sixers’ highlights, the third was definitely at the other end of the scale. Having had game two between the sides washed out, the makeshift replay at the SCG went the Thunder’s way and ended the Sixers’ title hopes. The magenta men posted 7-151 after being sent in to bat and could not contain their lime green counterparts, marking a third straight postseason which failed to fully follow through on an outstanding regular season effort.

THE STAR

Ben Dwarshuis – 146 runs @ 36.5, 14 wickets @ 25.5

Dwarshuis’ all-round impact at the Sixers has been profound. He led the side’s wicket-taking tally with 14 this season, including a haul of 4-32 against the Heat. That was one of two Player of the Match performances he produced, having also bashed 20 off 8 and taken 2-26 in an early-season Sydney Smash win. Dwarshuis’ heavy hitting saw the Sixers chase 15 off the final over in that game, and he went at a phenomenal strike rate of 173.8 throughout the tournament.

TOP KNOCK

Steve Smith – 121* (64) vs. Perth Scorchers @ SCG

Smith’s latest three-game Big Bash cameo yielded another century, as the 10,000-run Test champion peeled off an unbeaten 121 (64) against the Scorchers. Carrying his bat throughout the innings, Smith struck 10 fours and seven sixes as the Sixers posted 3-220 at the SCG. It was successfully defended to the tune of 14 runs, putting Sydney back on track after its three-game stint of two losses and a no result.

BEST BOWLING

Jackson Bird – 4-16 (4) vs. Hobart Hurricanes @ Bellerive Oval

Like Smith, Bird only played three matches throughout BBL|14 but made his presence felt. His 4-16 against the Hobart Hurricanes came in an away loss at Bellerive Oval, as the home side posted 6-161. The Sixers’ batters failed to do the job, being skittled for 111 to mark a 50-run defeat. Bird (3 off 8) was the final wicket to fall. His haul of four included three of the Hurricanes’ top four, and four of the top six.

CONTRACT STATUS

SIGNED: Sean Abbott, Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques, Todd Murphy, Mitch Perry, Josh Philippe, Jordan Silk, Steve Smith

FREE AGENTS: Jackson Bird, Josh Hazlewood, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Ben Manenti, Kurtis Patterson, Mitchell Starc

UNCONTRACTED: Akeal Hosein, Jafer Chohan, James Vince, Lachlan Hearne, Hanno Jacobs, Lachlan Shaw

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