Jordan Silk almost stole the match all by himself.
The BBL finals race has thrown up yet another twist as the Hobart Hurricanes claimed a seven-run win to move into the top five with each team still with one game to play.
But an ugly umpiring debacle once again erupted when the second highest run scorer of the competition Josh Philippe was given out LBW when the ball was missing leg stump by a long way.
Philippe has proven to be a player who can take the game away from the opposition but was given out to Scott Boland in a shocking LBW decision.
Arguably lucky to survive an LBW appeal the over before for a ball that was shown to be just clipping the leg stump, Philippe was given out for a ball that may have just brushed the bail of a another leg stump.
After umpiring decisions took the shine off the early stages of the tournament, next summer's BBL season appears set to use a review system but not necessarily DRS.
But the latest poor decision has led to Aussie great Andrew Symonds to take aim at the lack of technology.
"Talked earlier in the competition about using the technology that's available, that there, you can sort that situation out with what we've got," Symonds said. "I'd just like to see a bit of common sense. Look at the height of that, it's got him up on the thigh pad. I know he's not a tall man but that's angling down leg. It's a shame for the game really. Philippe needed to spend some time out there to give his side a real chance here."
Mike Hussey said it basically came out in the wash as he survived being given out on a ball that was clipping the stumps.
A ball in the first over was given not out but was flicking the top of the bail, although would likely be an umpires call.
The one of the left was not out, on the right was out.
Adam Gilchrist said they weren't terrible decisions however.
"They're not in any way shape or form howling decisions," Gilchrist said. "Disappointing if you're on the receiving end at it's proven to be not out."
It could have been costly as the Sixers got really close at the end after losing some early wickets.
After Philippe, they lost 3/16 before Moises Henriques and Jordan Silk bounced back with a 70-run stand.
But it was Silk who almost did the job with a 49-ball 78.
The final over was tense despite the Sixers needing 28 runs.
The first ball was no ball with the Sixers taking a single, similarly, after the second legal ball, there was another no ball full toss that was hit for six.
But even with an eight ball over, the Sixers could only manage 20 to fall just short.
Earlier, Matthew Wade reminded everyone just how destructive he can be, combining with D'Arcy Short for the biggest partnership of the season.
Matty Wade was back.
Wade slammed 86 off 44 balls and was the first man out after scoring 145.
Incredibly, it was the pair's third biggest partnership together as the fruitful relationship was rekindled.
But other than Short's 52-ball 72, only Dawid Malan could make double figures as the Hurricanes lost 8-43 in the final overs.
Updates
BBL debacle a 'shame for the game'
Chasing 189 to win, the Sydney Sixers needed some things to go their way but the innings has started off in the worst way possible.
Josh Philippe was dismissed for 12 in the third over but it has been proven to be a dodgy call.
After umpiring decisions took the shine off the early stages of the tournament, next summer's BBL season appears set to use a review system but not necessarily DRS.
But the latest poor decision has led to Aussie great Andrew Symonds to take aim at the lack of technology.
"Talked earlier in the competition about using the technology that's available, that there, you can sort that situation out with what we've got," Symonds said. "I'd just like to see a bit of common sense. Look at the height of that, it's got him up on the thigh pad. I know he's not a tall man but that's angling down leg. It's a shame for the game really. Philippe needed to spend some time out there to give his side a real chance here."
Mike Hussey said it basically came out in the wash as he survived being given out on a ball that was clipping the stumps.
A ball in the first over was given not out but was flicking the top of the bail, although would likely be an umpires call.
The one on the right was the one given out.
Adam Gilchrist said they weren't terrible decisions however.
"They're not in any way shape or form howling decisions," Gilchrist said. "Disappointing if you're on the receiving end at it's proven to be not out."
— 🏏FlashScore Cricket Commentators (@FlashCric) January 24, 2021
Wade's 'almost cruel' message in record beatdown
Matthew Wade has sent a message to the critics – he's still got it.
Under fire in the Aussie Test side, Wade slammed 86 off just 44 balls with 10 fours and three sixes as he and D'Arcy Short – reunited at last – piled on 145 for the opening wicket.
Wade was the chief aggressor as the pair put on the highest partnership of the season so far.
The pair continued their prolific partnership with it being their third highest stand, having had a 203 run partnership last season and 158 the year before.
It was the 12th highest of all time.
But Wade was dismissed trying to ramp Sean Abbott, who became the second bowler in BBL history to take 100 wickets.
That's Matthew Wade & D'Arcy Short's 4th 120+ opening stand in #bbl.
Has only been done 9 times by a Hurricanes pair in BBL history & Short was involved in one of those. #bbl10
The Hurricanes and Sixers are both chasing a win in the big MCG clash but Fox Cricket commentator Brendan Julian has delivered a hilarious dig at one of the Sydney quicks.
The hair has been out of control in the BBL and across all sports this year.
Ben Dwarshuis' glorious mo' has been one of the mainstays.
But his thick facial hair has caught the eye of Julian, who called him "Freddie Mercury" drawing a laugh from the rest of the commentary box.
It's quite a good call for a guy who may be a key weapon for the Sixers minor premiership hunt.
The fight for the best players is already a tough one for the BBL, but a move by a rival South African competition could make things even more challenging.
The consensus was the Big Bash was as good as it’s ever been this season, but anyone not moving forward is sitting still and that could mean more innovations.
