Tom Curran celebrates a wicket © Getty Images
Sydney Sixers 7 for 149 (Henriques 41, Morris 2-36) tied with Sydney Thunder 8 for 149 (Ferguson 52, Pope 3-23)
Sixers won the Super Over by 1 run
A starring all-round performance from Tom Curran propelled the Sydney Sixers to a thrilling victory over crosstown rivals Sydney Thunder in the first Super Over decider this BBL season.
Moises Henriques scored 14 of the Sixers’ 16 runs in the Super Over, which proved just enough as the Thunder fell one run short in reply with Curran holding his nerve with the ball.
In the Sixers’ nerve-jangling chase of 150, Thunder held sway throughout before a late flurry from Curran (35 from 17 balls) almost single-handedly forced extra time of the Sydney Smash.
The Sixers (3-2) won their second straight game, while the Thunder lost for the first time this season.
Hales explodes before Thunder slide
Much of the Thunder batting is built around the opening partnership of the explosive Alex Hales and elegant Usman Khawaja, who was mainly a spectator with the Englishman providing the early pyrotechnics.
Hales smashed 27 inside the opening three overs, including five boundaries and an audacious swivelled six off a stunned Ben Dwarshuis. Khawaja joined the party with a smoked six over the small midwicket boundary off Jackson Bird, who was having a tougher time than his brilliant season debut on Boxing Day.
The Sixers desperately needed a breakthrough and Sean Abbott came through with his first legal delivery, as Khawaja fell for 16. Abbott caused problems by cleverly changing his pace and was unlucky not to have removed Hales on several occasions.
With his earlier momentum halted, a frustrated Hales holed out to Curran immediately after the Powerplay as the Sixers impressively clawed back into the contest.
The Thunder’s slide continued when spinner Lloyd Pope’s wrong ‘un lured a struggling Matthew Gilkes out of his crease to be stumped. Having lost 3 for 6, Callum Ferguson and Alex Ross needed to consolidate in the middle overs.
More to follow
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based in Perth and writes on sports for the Guardian and mailerreport
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo