Sixers have the final say as Stars’ horror season ends early
A rollercoaster final day of the Big Bash season finished on a sour note for Melbourne Stars.
A rollercoaster final day of the Big Bash season finished on a sour note for Melbourne Stars after a five-wicket loss to Sydney Sixers consigned them to missing the finals series for just the second time.
The Stars needed to win with a Bash Boost point to make the final five but were edged by a Sixers outfit who deservedly sealed top spot with victory on the second-last ball at the MCG.
Glenn Maxwell’s 66 off 41 balls had propelled the Stars to a competitive score (6-177) but the home side was vulnerable in the race for the bonus point after compiling just 72 from their first 10 overs.
The Sixers easily reached the target for the bonus point and with it, first place on the BBL table.
Ben Dwarshuis (3-27) was the pick of the Sixers bowlers while James Vince (46 off 32) and skipper Moises Henriques (38 off 29) were instrumental in sealing the crucial extra point on offer.
Sixers opener Josh Philippe had a quiet night, dismissed second ball for one, but he was singled out by Australia’s white ball captain Aaron Finch as a player to watch for next month’s T20 tour of New Zealand.
“There’s a lot of players who have put their hand up through some great performances,” Finch said.
“To see Josh Philippe up to second on the runscorer’s table, (Thunder spinner) Tanveer Sangha the way he’s gone about it as well. They’re all names that will get thrown up (for the tour), no doubt.”
The Sixers will now play the Perth Scorchers in a double-chance ‘qualifier’ final on Friday night at Canberra’s Manuka Oval.
Earlier in the day, Brisbane Heat sealed one of two remaining finals places with a narrow win over the Scorchers which left the Strikers, Hurricanes and Stars vying for the last finals place.
Marnus Labuschagne showed off his all-round skills starring for the Heat in Adelaide.
The Test No 3 underlined his triple-threat status taking 3-35, posting 46 from 38 balls and taking a catch to dismiss dangerous Scorchers opener Jason Roy.
Brisbane’s victory secured a first finals spot in four years and proved cathartic for Labuschagne after Australia’s shock Test series loss to India.
“I love the game and think the quick change of format just gives me that clarity of mind. You probably don’t overthink it as much (about) what happened in that Test series,” said Labuschagne.
Chris Lynn (51 from 25) and Labuschagne had propelled the Heat to a total of 7-181 – leaving Perth with the task of achieving the second highest successful run chase at Adelaide Oval in BBL history.
A late assault from all-rounder Mitch Marsh (54no from 26) got the Scorchers close but he was unable to hit the final ball of the innings for six to send the match into a super over – much to Labuschagne’s relief.
“It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster, I am not going to lie. It feels great to actually get in the finals, we have been close the last few years,” said Labuschagne.
The Heat’s victory left the Stars players in the odd position of cheering on the Renegades, and several were spotted on the MCG boundary eagerly watching their cross-town rivals defeat Hobart Hurricanes by 11 runs.
That result had kept the Stars in the finals hunt, if only for a few more hours.
After the game Hurricanes coach Adam Griffith slammed his side’s lack of batting intent that cost them a fourth consecutive BBL finals appearance.
Hobart required 81 off 58 balls with eight wickets in hand, but lost regular wickets to an impressive young Renegades outfit to spell the end of their campaign.
“I thought we were poor with the bat tonight, we just lost our way with no real intent,” Griffith said. “That positive intent that we’ve had recently just disappeared unfortunately. We just left it too little too late.”
Griffith was also critical of his side’s running between the wickets.
“I think one of the things that probably cost us a little bit was our intent between the wickets as well.
The Hurricanes, alongside the Melbourne Stars, remain the only two clubs to have never lifted the BBL trophy.
NCA Newswire
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