Match 31, Melbourne, January 06, 2023, 01:00 PM
Melbourne Stars
173/5(20.0ov)
Sydney Sixers
176/4(19.5ov)
Sydney Sixers beat Melbourne Stars by 6 wickets
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
James Vince
Commentry
That is it from this game but the action in the Big Bash League 2022-23 continues throughout the weekend. On Super Saturday, the 7th of January, there are two games lined up. In the first game, Melbourne Renegades will take on Hobart Hurricanes at 12.35 pm IST (7.05 am GMT). That match will be followed by a clash between Perth Scorchers and Brisbane Heat beginning at 3.45 pm IST (10.15 am GMT). You can join us for the early build-up of both of those games. Cheers!
James Vince (91* off 59 balls) has been adjudged as the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his sensational knock.
Jordan Silk comes up for a quick interview. Says that he is not sure about the no ball (on his dismissal) but admits that he definitely heard something when it went past his bat. Further feels that he would have been run out at the other end anyway. Praises James Vince for his extraordinary knock. Regarding their plan for the final over, Silk shares that they were looking to target the shorter side and knew that if they get one big hit, they can knock it around and win the game.
Earlier in the game, Moises Henriques won the toss and opted to bowl first but it didn't turn out to be the best decision as Thomas Rogers and Hilton Cartwright were able to muster up a good second-wicket stand for the Stars. Then came the blistering 28-ball knock from Marcus Stoinis in which he scored 52 runs and put the home side on top. However, Sean Abbott bowled a brilliant final over and made sure that the Sixers took a bit of momentum into the chase. James Vince hadn't played a big knock in this season but he stepped out and remained unbeaten on 91 runs off just 59 balls to ensure his side got over the line.
Melbourne Stars will feel that they could have won this game. Marcus Stoinis had put them ahead by taking them to 173 runs which on this ground is certainly above par. They didn't start off well with the ball as their international pacers Trent Boult and Luke Wood leaked runs. It was then a spell by Nathan Coulter-Nile after the Powerplay that brought them back into the contest. The Stars kept on hanging in the game with timely wickets but once again, their experienced players such as the skipper himself, Adam Zampa and others failed to get them over the line.
Sydney Sixers needed a fast start and James Vince provided exactly that as he found the fence with regularity. He added on 45 runs for the first wicket with Josh Philippe and then a further 49 runs with Daniel Hughes. Vince kept on losing partners and when skipper Moises Henriques was dismissed after a quickfire knock, the Sixers looked in a spot of bother. Vince though kept his cool and was able to muster up runs but it was the maximum that Jordan Silk hit on the third ball of the final over that all but sealed the game for them. Dan Christian walked out with two runs needed for victory and all he needed was one shot.
What a crackerjack of a contest we have witnessed at the M.C.G. but it is Sydney Sixers who have come out on top and taken pole position on the points table as well. As for Melbourne Stars, they slump to yet another heart-breaking defeat and stay rooted to the bottom of the table. This is also the 9th consecutive win for the Sixers against the Stars, a new record for most consecutive wins against an opponent in the Big Bash League.
In over# 20
4
0W
6
1
2
Luke Wood 41/1(3.5)
19.5
4
FOUR! Dan, the man! Wood serves it full and around middle, Dan Christian advances down the track and whips it over backward square leg for the winning runs. Drama till the very end but Sydney Sixers have won by 6 runs, their 9th consecutive win against Melbourne Stars.
Dan Christian is the new man in.
19.4
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Short in length and around off, slower in pace, Silk tries to slam it over point but fails to connect. They attempt to take the bye and the keeper immediately releases the ball. He misses the stumps at the striker's end and then Wood collects the ball to score a direct hit at the bowler's end. Silk dives but has he made it? It's a combined review, first for the caught behind by Zampa and then for a run out. Snicko finds a thin outside edge. No need to look any further. Silk is gone. Interestingly, that delivery was well over the head but that's not considered by the third umpire. Hmm... 2 needed off 2 balls. What drama!
Is that a run-out? More drama late in the game as Jordan Silk might have been run out here. Adam Zampa is also asking for a review for a caught behind. It will be a combined review then, first for the caught behind and then for the run-out. The Snicko comes out and there is a spike as the ball is next to the bat and what a referral that is from Adam Zampa! Silk has to walk back.
19.3
6
SIX! Ho! Ho! Ho! Only 2 needed now. Luke Wood delivers it full and around off, right in the slot, Silk goes deep inside the crease and launches it over long on for a maximum. He has nailed it.
19.2
1
On a length, around middle, slogged to deep mid-wicket, only for a run this time. 8 needed off 4 balls.
19.1
2
Run out chance missed! Serves it on a length around middle, Vince rocks back and heaves it to deep mid-wicket. He attempts for the second run as the throw comes to the keeper. Joe Clarke collects the ball but fails to remove the bails in his first attempt. Two runs are completed. 9 needed off 5 balls.
Luke Wood (3-0-28-0) to bowl the final over of the game. Can he defend 10 runs?
In over# 19
1lb
2
0
2
4
2
Adam Zampa 36/0(4)
18.6
1lb
A low full toss down the leg side, Vince fails to flick. It goes off his pads to square leg and they cross. 11 needed off the final over!
18.5
2
Well played! Zampa fires it in, on middle, James turns it towards mid-wicket with gentle hands and gets two runs.