The Sydney Sixers, three-time winners of the Big Bash League, embarked on their BBL 13 journey with a thrilling encounter against the Melbourne Renegades at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Steve Smith, reprising his role from the previous season, made a significant impact by scoring 61 off 42 balls on a slow wicket, proving to be the vital difference between the two teams.
After winning the toss, the Melbourne Renegades opted to send the Sydney Sixers to bat. The pitch appeared more favorable for batting early on, and both Smith and Jos Philippe made the most of the first 5 overs, scoring 58 runs.
Renegades’ bowler Will Sutherland played a pivotal role by taking two wickets in one over, dismissing Jos Philippe and removing James Vince, who fell victim to an extra delivery.
The Renegades remained competitive until the 18th over, when Jordan Silk’s well-calculated innings aided the Sydney Sixers in posting a competitive and potentially match-winning total on the gradually slowing field.
Sydney Sixers Knew How to Operate at the SCG
Remarkably, only once in 18 matches has a score of 175 or above been achieved at the SCG. The momentum provided by Jordan Silk was aptly capitalized on by the Sixers’ bowlers, who dismantled the Renegades by taking 3 crucial wickets within 5 overs of the match.
Despite a small partnership between Jake Fraser-McGurk and Aaron Finch providing some hope, the brilliance of Ben Dwarshius ultimately proved challenging for the Renegades’ chase.
After the dismissal of Jonathan Wells by Steve O’Keefe, a twist unfolded as Will Sutherland, the big chief, launched some sixes, creating a small but crucial partnership with Aaron Finch.
However, the decision to take the power surge proved severe for the Renegades, who needed 59 runs off the last 5 overs, seemingly achievable with two set batters on the crease.
Aaron Finch initiated the power surge with a boundary over fine leg, but on the very second ball, he was undone by extra bounce. Failing to pull a short-length ball from Sean Abbott with conviction, the ball soared in the air, and a beautiful catch was taken by Smith at long on.
The Melbourne Renegades missed their mark in calculating the chase, and on the last ball of the 19th over, Tom Rogers’s decision to take a single on the call of Sutherland proved unwise and costly. Despite a strong effort from Sutherland, Dwarshius successfully defended 22 runs, securing the Sydney Sixers’ first win of BBL 13.
