Sixers crowned BBL Champs

Two wickets in the opening over to veteran Brett Lee, coupled with a brilliant 70 from 41 to Moises Henriques has helped the Sydney Sixers to a seven wicket victory over the Perth Scorchers to take out the inaugural Big Bash League T20 crown.

A sell out WACA crowd packed the stadium that has been nicknamed ‘The Furnace’ throughout the entire Big Bash League competition turned out to see the table topping Perth Scorchers do battle with the Sydney Sixers.

Marcus North won the toss for the home side and elected to bat first, the decision was met with loud cheering from the crowd, however the cheering was soon brought to an end when veteran Brett Lee opened the bowling for the Sixers and picked up two wickets in the opening over.

Inform opening batsmen Herschelle Gibbs was the first man out after he was caught by Dominic Thornley in the deep after a firey short ball by Lee caught high on his bat for a first ball duck.

Luke Ronchi was the next man out when he attempted a strong drive which caught the edge of the bat and flew into the waiting hands of Peter Nevill to be on his way back to the pavilion for two restricting the Scorchers to two for two after the opening over.

Marcus North and Mitchell Marsh joined together and looked to rebuild the Perth Scorchers innings with the pair combining for a quick fire 58-run partnership.

The partnership however was brought to an end with the introduction of veteran spinner Stuart MacGill with Marcus North caught by Steven O’Keefe bringing his innings of 22 from 24 to an end.

It prompted Mitchell Marsh to open his shoulders and continue to find the boundary with relative ease, he was joined by Englishman Paul Collingwood who had been less than impressive throughout the tournament to date.

Collingwood seemingly saved his best innings for last as he joined Marsh in finding the boundary with ease as he ensured that the Perth Scorchers would make their way to an impressive total despite the poor start to their innings.

The reintroduction of Mitchell Starc had the desired result for the Sydney Sixers with the wicket of Paul Collingwood who was caught by Steven Smith who was looking into the sun as Collingwood was dismissed for 32 from 25.

Simon Katich was edgy early in his innings and was off the mark thanks largely to a thick inside edge that missed the off stump by millimetres as the ball raced away to the boundary for four.

Despite the bad luck to Mitchell Starc in his first deliveries to Katich he soon had his man after Katich played a shot that was brilliantly caught by Nic Maddinson.

Mitchell Marsh continued his fine striking of the ball to remain unbeaten on 77 from 57 which included five boundaries and four sixes as he helped the Perth Scorchers reach a total of five for 156 from their allotted twenty overs.

Brett Lee was the best of the Sixers bowlers with 2 for 21 from his four overs, while Mitchell Starc was expensive taking 2 for 40 from his four, Stuart MacGill showed he still had what it takes at this level with one for 20 from his four.

Moises Henriques and Steven O’Keefe were entrusted to open the batting for the Sydney Sixers as they chased down the imposing Scorchers total.

The pair were cautious during the opening overs by Michael Beer and Nathan Rimmington however soon hit their strides as they began to open their shoulders and find the runs available in the field.

The opening partnership between the Sixers had been an issue for the team throughout the tournament to date, however Henriques and O’Keefe soon found their way past the sides previous best of 38 and continued to add the runs to the scoreboard.

Together they nudged the score past one hundred, with Henriques who had been in poor form throughout the encounter so far finally hitting some form and bringing up only his second half century of the tournament.

Soon after notching his half century he looked to attack veteran spinner Brad Hogg whoever mistimed the shot and ended up missing the ball completely to be stumped by Scorchers wicket keeper Luke Ronchi.

Henriques innings however had moved the Sixers into a commanding position to the point they required less runs than balls remaining and the Sydney-based franchise looked on target for a remarkable victory.

Ben Edmondson however wasn’t ready to give up picking up Nic Maddinson 10 from 13) before being followed by Steve O’Keefe (48 from 46) two balls later to throw some doubt on the Sixers chances.

However Sixers skipper Steven Smith ensured he would be remembered as the captain to win the first ever Big Bash League when he blasted 21 from 11 deliveries including four boundaries.

It was Smith who blasted a four to bring up the winning runs with seven deliveries to spare to secure the seven wicket victory.

Brett Lee revealed it was always his plan to bowl short to Gibbs first-up.

“We’ve been working on that plan for quite some time and it came off beautifully,” Lee said.

“To get two wickets in the first over was just a dream start, and it was backed up beautifully by our batsmen.”

Perth Scorchers skipper Marcus North said the Scorchers were devastated by the loss.

“It’s pretty hard to take in,” North said.

“But I’m so proud of the way we’ve played as a team. We’ve achieved a lot in this series, everything but win the final.”

Perth Scorchers 5 for 156
Mitchell Marsh 77 from 57 not out
Paul Collingwood 32 from 25
Brett Lee 2 for 21
Mitchell Starc 2 for 40
Stuart MacGill 1 for 20

Sydney Sixers 3 for 158
Moises Henriques 70 from 41
Steve O’Keefe 48 from 46
Steven Smith 21 from 11 not out
Ben Edmondson 2 for 30