BBL 2021: Sydney Sixers through to finals as Josh Philippe smashes Perth Scorchers

Sydney Sixers are through to the BBL finals, with superstar opener Josh Philippe letting Test selectors know he’s available.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 16: Carlos Brathwaite of the Sixers celebrates taking the wicket of Colin Munro of the Scorchers during the Big Bash League match between the Sydney Sixers and the Perth Scorchers at Manuka Oval, on January 16, 2021, in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

The Sydney Sixers are the first team through to this season’s Big Bash playoffs after another stunning display from their superstar opener Josh Philippe, who sent a blunt reminder to Australia’s selectors about why he should be picked in the national side.

The Steve Smith lookalike just can’t do anything wrong at the moment - smashing 85 from just 52 balls to lay the foundations for Saturday’s seven-wicket thrashing of the Perth Scorchers at Manuka Oval in Canberra.

Already the leading runscorer in the tournament, Philippe’s third half century this season helped the Sixers post their eighth win of the campaign to stretch their lead at the top of the table to nine points over the second placed Sydney Thunder.

Josh Philippe has put himself on the radar of Test selectors after an incredible innings. Picture: Getty Images.

TOP OF THE TABLE

The Scorchers remain in third spot after their five match winning streak came to a sudden halt but with three matches to go, the Sixers look a sure bet to finish the regular season in first place to secure home ground advantage for the finals.

Chasing 164 for victory, the Sixers were never in doubt after Philippe came flying out of the blocks, cracking three successive boundaries from Andrew Tye’s third over and racing to his 50 from 31 balls.

How long until Josh Philippe plays for Australia? #BBL10

— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) January 16, 2021

Sixers are clearly the team to beat...

Depth ✅
Power hitters ✅
Philippe in 🔥 form ✅
DC & SOK in vintage form ✅
Dwarshuis, Starc, Lyon, Henriques to return ✅

Imagine if they had Tom Curran. #bbl10

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) January 16, 2021

He threw his wicket away at the end after sharing a 102-run stand with James Vince (52) that made the result a formality and it’s surely now just a matter of time before he gets the nod for higher honours.

“I just feel super relaxed at the moment and that’s when I play my best cricket, when I’m calm and relaxed,” Philippe said.

“All I want to do when I get out of that first four (overs) is take it deep and try and be out there at the end. I was close again tonight but not quote close enough.

“There’s always a few nerves, especially against all my mates at the Scorchers. It’s a bit of a grudge match for me but it’s good fun and I like to stay as calm as possible.”

Liam Livingstone smacked Steve O’Keefe, with 27 runs scored in a single over. Picture: Getty Images.

ROOSTER TO FEATHER DUSTER

Veteran Sixers spinner Steve O’Keefe came back down to Earth with a hard thud after his match winning effort against the Thunder during the week.

SOK’s career-best 3-15 was quickly forgotten when the left-armer returned figures of 1-36 after being on the wrong end of Liam Livingstone’s early onslaught.

O’Keefe should have had the Englishman’s wicket in his first over when he was on one but Daniel Hughes grassed a simple chance at mid off and Livingstone made the slow bowler pay.

Livingstone belted three sizes from O’Keefe’s third over - which cost 27 runs - the most expensive by any bowler this season, forcing him out of the attack before he returned to pick up his only wicket.

BACK TO FORM

The Scorchers’ leading runscorer last season, Livingstone’s return to form could not have come at a better time for the West Australians.

He only managed a total of 69 runs from his first five knocks after serving two weeks in quarantine but smashed 54 against the Hurricanes on Tuesday before his 38-ball 67 against the Sixers, which featured six sixes.

His blistering start was enough to earn the Scorchers a consolation bonus point as they reached the halfway mark at 1-103 before the wheels fell off and they added just 6-60 over the back end to finish on 7-163.

FRESH TROOPS

Like most teams in the competition, the Sixers are still waiting to hear when they will get their internationals back for the business end of the season.

The Sixers could get back four of their biggest stars - Moises Henriques, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Sean Abbott - but don’t know for sure or when.

They are not expecting to get them back for the next match, at Adelaide Oval on Friday, because of the South Australian so are pinning their hopes on having them for the last two regular season games in Melbourne to give them a hit out before the finals.