4:51 PM IST & 10:21 PM Local Time: That's it! What a commanding performance from the Sydney Sixers. The defending champions have been knocked out of the tournament as the Sixers seal a convincing 57-run victory. With this win, Sydney Sixers book their place in the final and will lock horns with the Perth Scorchers for the sixth time in a BBL Final.
Earlier in the day, the Hurricanes won the toss and opted to chase. The Sixers got off to a really strong start, with openers Daniel Hughes and Steve Smith looking to make the most of the fielding restrictions. Hughes’ stay was cut short inside the powerplay as Billy Stanlake provided the opening breakthrough for the Hurricanes, dismissing him for 13. Steve Smith, however, continued his love affair with the SCG, with runs flowing freely from his bat. Few batters read these conditions better at this venue and Smith underlined that class by bringing up his 10th half-century in the BBL.
Steve Smith was the top scorer for the Sixers, anchoring the innings before eventually being dismissed for a well-made 65 off 43 balls. The Sixers then cashed in during the Power Surge, piling on 35 valuable runs to push the total further. Strong contributions down the order from Joel Davies, who smashed 27 off just 12 balls, Lachlan Shaw with a quick 21 off 13 and Jack Edwards’ handy 15 off 12 ensured the momentum was maintained till the end. Those late flourishes helped Sydney Sixers post a massive 198/8 from their 20 overs. For the Hurricanes, Riley Meredith stood out with the ball, finishing as the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/52.
In reply, the Hurricanes endured a horrid start to their chase. Mitchell Owen was dismissed in just the second over by Mitchell Starc for 13, putting the side immediately under pressure. Tim Ward followed him back inside the powerplay, departing for a brisk 13 off 8 balls. Beau Webster found it difficult to get any rhythm in the middle overs, as the Sixers bowlers kept things tight. Webster and Ben McDermott tried to rebuild with a 48-run stand off 42 balls for the third wicket, but the partnership ended in the 10th over when Dwarshuis removed Webster for 24 off 27 balls.
The Hurricanes continued to lose wickets at regular intervals and with every over the asking rate kept climbing. The Power Surge failed to provide the momentum they needed, as only 18 runs came off it at the cost of two wickets. Ben McDermott fought hard but found himself running out of partners at the other end, before eventually departing for 40 off 26 balls.
The Sixers then wrapped things up swiftly, cleaning up the tail as the Hurricanes were bowled out for 141 in 17.2 overs. Ben Dwarshuis led the bowling effort brilliantly for the Sixers with figures of 3/26. With that emphatic win, the stage is now set for a blockbuster clash as two heavyweights, Sydney Sixers and Perth Scorchers, lock horns in the BBL Final on Sunday.