SIX VS SCO MATCH 43

Right then, that is all from this exciting top of the table clash and it is the Sydney Sixers who came out on top. However, the action in the BBL 12 continues on 16th January, Monday when the Melbourne Stars take on Brisbane Heat in a crucial match for both teams to keep their qualification hopes alive. That game will begin at 1.45 pm IST (8.15 am GMT). As always, you can join us in advance for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Sean Abbott is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH. He says that the wicket suited their style of bowling. Adds that the Scorchers are a class line up no matter who they put out. Says that the Scorchers play really well in their conditions at home and if they come up against them, it'll be tough. Lauds the crowd and says that it’s a great advantage for them. Closes by saying that he played in front of the best crowd in a home final against the Scorchers a couple of years ago."

Earlier in the innings, after being asked to bat first Sydney Sixers posted a par-total of 151 runs thanks to a good fifty from Josh Philippe and some contributions from Steven Smith and Kurtis Patterson. It looked like a score which Perth Scorchers would chase easily, but that was not the case. In reply, Stephen Eskinazi scored an unbeaten half-century, but he could not get the required support from the other end and the Scorchers ended up on the losing side. Sean Abbott was once again the star of the show for the Sixers with his three wickets. However, this defeat will not hurt Perth Scorchers that much as they still remain on top of the table.

Sydney Sixers were right on point from the start and they got to the perfect start as well when Sean Abbott got rid of both Cameron Bancroft and Aaron Hardie in quick succession. Hayden Kerr soon got the wicket Josh Inglis which put them on top of the game. However, after that they let the Scorchers come back in the game, but once again the Power Surge prove to be successful for them as they dismissed Ashton Turner who was looking dangerous. Then Nick Hobson counter-attacked for a bit, but Sean Abbott got his wicket in his last over and turned the game around again. He was their best bowler with three wickets to his name while Hayden Kerr got a couple. The equation came down to 22 needed off the last two overs, but then Dan Christian used his experience and bowled a brilliant penultimate over where he dismissed two batters and gave away just seven runs. Kerr kept his calm in the last over and did the job for his team.

Perth Scorchers did not start their on the right note as they lost three early wickets and were reduced to 35-3. However, Stephen Eskinazi stuck around from the start and held one end strongly. He finally got support from his skipper, Ashton Turner and both of them added a crucial 45 runs for the fourth wicket which got them back in the game. Eskinazi scored a half-century, but it was a quick fire knock from Nick Hobson which took the game close. In the end, Stephen Eskinazi remianed unbeaten on 66, but they lost a lot of wickets and fell short by 6 runs. They will think about the six that Ben Dwarshuis hit for the Sydney Sixers on the last delivery as that proved to be the difference in the end.

Sydney Sixers triumph over their arch-rivals here! It was a close contest, but the Sixers held their nerves better and got over the line to avenge their previous defeat. Stephen Eskinazi tried his best for Perth Scorchers, but his efforts went in vain.

Only a single to end then! Slower and short ball outside off, David Payne has muscled down to long-off for a single. Sydney Sixers win by 6 runs at the end. The last SIX by Ben Dwarshuis at the end of the first innings has made the difference at the end. Terrific win for the Sydney Sixers.

Very full on the stumps. David Payne clubs it down to long-on region for a couple.

Fuller on off, Stephen Eskinazi shuffles and misses on the shot. Gets wrapped on the pads, and runs through for a leg bye. The Sydney Sixers go upstairs for the review and the wickets are missing. It's all up to David Payne now.

Full and going down the leg, Stephen Eskinazi shuffles across and misses on the slog sweep. A dot ball is like gold dust at the moment.

FOUR!! BANG!! Slow and full outside off, Stephen Eskinazi walks across the line and slogs it to the deep mid-wicket region for a boundary. FOUR comes at the right time for Perth Scorchers.

Right in the blockhole. David Payne digs it out and pushes it to mid-on for one.

Hayden Kerr (3-0-23-2) to bowl the last over. Can he defend 15 runs?

Full on the stumps. David Payne advances and gets an inside edge onto the pads and takes a single. 16 needed for the last over.

David Payne comes out to the middle now.

OUT! GONE!! CLEANED UP! Dan Christian takes his 2nd one in the over. Full and in the slot! Andrew Tye misses it and the ball castles onto his stumps. Tye swung across the line and missed, it might have hit the back-pad before crashing into the off-stump.

Full and at the stumps, Andrew Tye hits it down to long-on for a couple.