The Sydney Sixers have chased down the Melbourne Renegades 7/154 with 1.1 overs remaining at the SCG on Friday night. Good bowling from Brett Lee and Sean Abbott and a comfortable looking 84 (64) from Nic Maddinson easily accounted for a scattered Renegades.
Australian T20 captain Aaron Finch and wicket keeper Mathew Wade got the Renegades off to a good start, hitting 1/58 from the opening powerplay. Wade was dismissed for a cool 35 from 18 balls (4 4’s, 2 6’s) by débutante Ben Dwarshius who bowled well and finished with 2/38 from his 4 overs.
Finch was unable to unleash his fierce batting power and was restricted to 20 (18), removed by Abbot in the 7th over when he failed to clear the ropes and was caught by Doug Bollinger at the long mid-wicket boundary.
Dwayne Bravo threatened to kick the Renegades innings into gear with two sixes in a row in the 11th over, but the powerful West Indian was gone moments later, caught behind off the bowling of Abbott.
Callum Ferguson needed to lead the rest of the Renegades innings but was unable to score big hitting 40 (32). Brett Lee was the pick of the Sydney bowlers with an sensational 2/21 from his four overs including some tight bowling at the death. Melbourne completing their 20 overs at 7/154.
In contrast, the Sixers batted with composure and found the middle of the bat consistently. Nic Maddinson and Michael Lumb combined well for an opening partnership of 64 from 8 overs. Lumb was dropped by Nathan Rimmington in wide-gully in the fourth over, a mistake that may have altered the momentum of the match for the visitors.
Rimmington made up for his fielding error, trapping Lumb LBW for 28 (25) in the 8th over bringing Sixers captain Moises Henriques to the crease.
Maddinson was piercing the field with ease and made the most of the short square boundary, lofting reverse-sweeps and blasting cover drives for six. He was supported well by Henriques who did struggle to match the tempo of his team mate, hitting only 3 boundaries from his 32 ball 36.
It was the Nic Maddinson show as the unbeaten opener entertained the crowd with 4 4’s and a blistering 6 6’s in his innings of 84 from 54 balls.
The Sixers will be hoping to repeat their impressive opening to the BBL04 tournament against the Hobart Hurricanes on Tuesday. The Renegades needing to improve when they face Perth on Boxing day at the WACA.
