BBL6 Game 25 Recap - Sydney Sixers v Sydney Thunder @ SCG
Thunder Thump Sixers
The Sydney Thunder continued their remarkable resurgence by pounding cross town rivals, the Sydney Sixers, by eight wickets at the SCG. The Thunder made this a one sided contest throughout by running amuck through the Sixers' strong top order to reduce them to the lowest score of BBL6, just 9/99 from their 20 overs. The Thunder wasted little time in wiping out the score, securing the victory in just the 10th over for the loss of only two wickets. With the BBL table being so tight, net run rate could be crucial, and not only did the Thunder elevate their position, they also saw their rivals' net run rate plummet. The Thunder's third straight win has remarkably taken them to the edge of the finals, sitting in 5th spot with one regular season game remaining. A win against the Strikers will probably get them into the finals, which would be amazing considering their 0-4 start and the brand of cricket they were playing. The Thunder host the Strikers in a huge regular season finale at Spotless Stadium on Wednesday.
Sixers Fail To Show Up
Captain Moises Henriques described his team's performance as "embarrassing" and "a wake up call" in the aftermath of their derby defeat on Saturday. The Sixers had the chance to go to the top of the table, however were never in the contest after a number of poor shots saw them consigned to the first score under 100 in BBL6 to date. After a slow but solid start, the Sixers fell apart as they failed to show any resistance, with a number of catches in front of the wickets to nondescript deliveries. It was the second time this year the Sixers have somewhat inexplicably collapsed, after they were bundled out for 104 in a chase of 152 against the Strikers in Adelaide. The Sixers are now suddenly in real danger of dropping out of the Top 4 with a negative differential heading into their final regular season game against a Melbourne Stars team that has won three straight.
Ahmed Fails to Gain Selection despite Destroying Sixers
The Selectors have seemingly closed the door on Fawad Ahmed ever playing Test cricket by leaving him out of Australia's 16-man touring party for the four Test Tour of India in February. If Ahmed was ever going to get a game, the time was nigh with his outstanding Big Bash form coupled with Australia's decision to take a record four frontline spinners to India. Whilst Nathan Lyon's and Steven O'Keefe's inclusions came as no surprise, the decision to take both Ashton Agar and Mitchell Swepson would seemingly be the nail in Ahmed's coffin. Ahmed was outstanding once again last night in claiming the best figures of BBL6 so far, claiming 4/14 from his 4 overs. Ahmed conceded just one boundary and bowled 12 dot balls, as well as picking up the crucial wickets of the likes of Maddinson, Henriques and Munro. Ahmed is now the leading wicket taker for spinners in BBL6, with 9 scalps at an average of 18 and a very impressive economy rate of 6.3.
Brathwaite Making An Impact
While Andre Russell has been a fantastic T20 player all over the world in the past few years, it was clear he was below his best this summer. Struggling with injury and form, Russell didn't fire for the Thunder as he has in the past, but his replacement, Carlos Brathwaite, is having an immediate impact. Brathwaite has brought a real energy and enthusiasm to a Thunder side that looks red hot in the back half of the competition. Brathwaite has an exuberance about him that has clearly lifted his team mates, and his five wickets in two games has given the Thunder another quality option with the ball. Brathwaite is not the fastest bowler, however he is a wicket taker with his intelligent changes of pace. Brathwaite just looks like the sort of bubbly personality and infectious character that has really bought something to the group. Alongside James Vince, the Thunder are now a side to be feared, and I fancy them to knock off Adelaide on Wednesday night and hit the finals with plenty of momentum on their side.
Lurker Stinks
The Lurker offered us a doughnut here as one of his pet sides the Sixers were hammered. The Lurker has now dropped two straight, for a record 16-9 overall on the season.