BBL: Sydney Sixers Vs Melbourne Stars

The Melbourne Stars won the toss, but that was the extent of their success as the Sydney Sixers posted the highest ever score at the SCG and then ripped through their opponents. Glenn Maxwell’s Stars were bowled out for 61, suffering a 152 run loss — a record BBL margin after the Sixers earlier made 4-213. In pursuit, the Stars’ innings got off to the worst possible start, as veteran spinner Steve O’Keefe took two wickets – and it never recovered. Former Australia fast bowler Brett Lee said late in the run-chase “this is just horrendous batting”, as World Cup-winning spinner Adam Zampa was stumped for one.

Sydney Sixer’s Joe Clarke fell second ball of the innings for one and first-drop Nick Larkin was trapped in front sweeping two balls to be on his way for a duck. Maxwell was then bowled for four from the first ball of Sean Abbott’s second over, leaving the Stars 3-18 as their sorry night continued. The wickets kept coming as Hilton Cartwright picked out James Vince on the square boundary. Hayden Kerr then came on and took two wickets with his final two deliveries of his first over, but the young quick did not get another over. Sydney Sixers batted amazingly and scored 213 runs.

A 14-run 10th-wicket stand between Brody Couch (8) and Syed Faridoun (6*) saw the Stars manage to avoid the lowest total in the 11-year history of the competition – not that coach and former Australian middle-order batsman David Hussey will look at that with any joy. Waugh described the defeat as a “pretty lame performance”. O’Keefe finished with the stunning figures of 4-14 to once again prove T20 is far from a young man’s game, while Sean Abbott took 3-14. Sydney Sixers bullied Melbourne Stars to bag the biggest ever win in the history of the tournament – by 152 runs- and also handed Stars the third-lowest total in the tournament’s history.

Moises Henriques (76 not out off 38) and Philippe made 102 off 51 to set the side up for a dominant total as Sydney Sixers were able to manage 56 in the last five. Philippe, who fell to Rain bird in the 19th over, made 83 off 47 while the pacer ended with figures of 1 for 59 to end a disappointing day. The Melbourne Stars ended their last season as runners-up. The Stars have been underachievers and have failed to hold their nerve in crunch situations. They are led by skipper Glenn Maxwell and backed by Australian internationals Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa  and Nathan Coulter-Nile. Leg spinner Qais Ahmed has come in handy on the bouncy Australian tracks.

Billy Stanlake will have to shoulder a lot of responsibility in the bowling department if the Stars are to go one step further this season. Their squad is capable of winning the title but need to apply themselves better during decisive moments in the game. An evenly fought contest is on the cards as arguably two of the best teams of the tournament collide in the curtain-raiser. Sydney Sixers piled on a mammoth 213-4 – their highest score as a team and the best-ever in a Big Bash match at the Sydney Cricket Ground – and then rolled Stars for just 61 in 11.1 overs, with veteran spinner Steve O’Keefe bagging 4-14 and England seamer Tom Curran taking the final wicket

The reigning champions also have a power-packed squad with Josh Philippe, Daniel Hughes and James Vince expected to go out all guns blazing at the top. The likes of Sean Abbott and Steve O’Keefe will be expected to deliver the goods with the ball. It was a nightmare for Melbourne Stars as they had played very badly against Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League 11 opener. Sixers are the defending champions as they have won the last two Seasons comprehensively. They are great team to watch out for this season.