Sydney Sixers have won their third BBL title. They won the 9th season and have now won the 10th season as well. By doing so, the Sixers have become the second team after Perth Schorchers to win the BBL more than two times. The Perth Scorchers had been tasked with chasing 189 runs to snare their four BBL title victory, after James Vince propelled the Sydney Sixers to a highly competitive total in the SCG final.

 

Vince whacked 95 runs from just 60 balls at the top of the order, allowing the Sixers to recover after BBL player of the tournament Josh Philippe was run out for just nine in farcical scenes in the fourth over. West Indian brute Carlos Brathwaite treated fans to an entertaining cameo late in the Sixers’ innings, bludgeoning two blistering fours in a knock of 10 from six. Although the Englishman fell agonisingly short of becoming just the second cricketer to have struck a ton in a BBL final – Jake Weatherald remains the only man – he cannoned the hosts to 4-140 from 15.1 overs. The opener whacked 10 fours and three sixes, one of which was an enormous strike off the bowling of Aaron Hardie over cow corner. Vince was unsurprisingly named the Man Of The Match for his brilliant 95 off 60 balls – which was then topped off by a fine catch to remove Mitch Marsh. “I cannot speak highly enough of everyone on the pitch and in the franchise. Outstanding,” Vince said. “Lucky that it came off for me tonight, but everyone stood up at different times and it has been enjoyable.” He further added. Teammate Josh Philippe added: “James Vince was unbelievable in the last two games and it’s exciting. “We’ve been lucky to have good overseas players and I hope they hang around and keep going well.” He said.

 

The Scorchers forecast a completely new game plan to Josh Philippe with their star former player averaging 61 against them in the lead-in to the Final. Bowling more slower balls appeared to be their fresh plan, but it looked to be getting predictable when Philippe slog-swept Jason Behrendorff for six. Yet a mix-up with Vince in which Philippe somehow ended up next to his opening partner at the striker’s end saw the player of the tournament run out by the length of the pitch in an unimaginable mix-up.

By Arvind Krishnan

Cricket writer, statistician and analyst. An unorthodox media student, marketing runs in his blood. Sports Marketer and analyst.