Sydney Sixers are the first team through to Wednesday’s Big Bash League final in Canberra after they thrashed Adelaide Strikers by 87 runs under the Adelaide Oval floodlights.
Nic Maddinson took the game away from Strikers as he helped Sixers take 79 runs from the final six overs of their innings during a career-best knock of 85. Strikers then imploded in their run chase to be bowled out for just 94, succumbing to an impressive display of catching from the visitors which silenced the home crowd.
Sixers had elected to bat earlier in the evening and had got off to a brisk start courtesy of Michael Lumb. He smashed 32 off 19 balls before being run-out after a mix-up with his opening partner Riki Wessels. There was then a period of relative calm in proceedings before Maddinson began the late onslaught by completing his half-century with a huge six.
In all, the 23 year-old hit 85 off 48 balls, including five maximums, and found useful support from his skipper Moises Henriques, who ended on 27 off 19 balls as Sixers finished their 20 overs on 181 for four.
Strikers then lost wickets at fairly regular intervals throughout their run chase. The powerfully-built Craig Simmons managed to snap his bat clean in two before failing properly to utilise the replacement and snicking off to wicket-keeper Ryan Carters in Sean Abbott’s opening over.
That was to be the first of 10 catches from the Sixers fielders as they clung on to everything that came their way. Carters was perhaps responsible for the most athletic effort as he dived full length to his right to snaffle an edge from Johan Botha. By that stage, however, the game was done and, but for a couple of lusty blows from Ben Laughlin at number 10 - who top-scored with 22 off 10 balls to partially make up for earlier conceding 51 runs from his four overs - there was very little for the home crowd to cheer.
Doug Bollinger ended as the pick of the attack with three for 21, while Abbott (2-14), Nathan Lyon (2-26) and Steve O’Keefe (2-17) collected a brace of wickets apiece. The day, though, belonged to Maddinson who was named man of the match and can now, along with the rest of his team-mates, look forward to the final. The identity of their opponents will be determined tomorrow at the WACA when Perth Scorchers entertain Melbourne Stars.
Daniel Grummitt
He worked for CricketWorld.com for almost three years, leading their county and domestic cricket coverage and contributing to a book about the 2012 ICC World Twenty20, before joining the hugely ambitious World Cricket Badger early in 2014.
The first Test that he remembers watching was on Channel 4 - back before the ECB marginalised potential future fans by selling the TV rights to Sky Sports - when England beat Pakistan by an innings and nine runs at Lord’s.
Besides a passion for domestic cricket, he also has an unexplainable interest in all things Zimbabwe cricket!
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