Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder: The Sydney Sixers-Sydney Thunder match was nothing short of a statement as the Sixers started the campaign off right and picked up their maiden win of the BBL season, thanks in part to Josh Philippe’s 96 and a debut BBL half-century from Babar Azam.
Sydney Sixers go up against Sydney Thunder in The Sydney Smash
The Sydney Sixers were struggling as they came into this Sydney Smash following two consecutive losses. The major concern was on Babar Azam, who had not done very well in his early BBL seasons as he managed only scores of 2 and 9.
Playing against a familiar opposition in the form of the Sydney Thunder, the Sixers showed their might and continue to dominate their local rivals.
A Rare Batting Paradise at Engie Stadium
Unlike the usual slow surface that prevailed at Engie Stadium, this match between Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder was conducted on a true batting surface. This facilitated expression by stroke players, and the Sydney Sixers fully exploited this with their impressive display of batting.
Babar Azam Finally Finds Rhythm yn the BBL
Opening with Jack Edwards, Babar Azam showed his intention with a beautiful cover drive which could well be the best shot he’s played in the BBL so far. As Edwards went with the aggressive approach during the power play, Babar held the middle order together with elegant strokes.
Read More
He became more confident as he flipped through the deep backward square to hit double figures for the first time during the tournament. Babar Azam later marked his first fifty in the BBL by scoring 58 runs off 42 deliveries.
Joshua Philippe Takes Over the Middle Overs
However, Josh Philippe took matters in his own hands and completely dominated the proceedings. He had already proven to be the best batter for the Sixers in the tournament, and he accelerated as soon as the spin trio of Shadab Khan and Tanveer Sangha was introduced.
Philippe smashed Sangha for the first six of the innings in the eighth over, and then he smashed Shadab with a brutal attack, which also consisted of hitting two massive sixes. Then, a third six would have been hit, had it not been for an incredible attempt by Sam Konstas at long-off.
Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder: Momentum Builds, But Subsequent Progress Trails
Babar joined the six-hitting party with a top-edged six off Daniel Sams for the first six of his BBL career. He seemed to be settling in for a big knock before being given out lbw in the 18th over, although the decision was overturned, but then caught behind off the glove.
On the death, the Sixers suffered a hold on momentum. Philippe painfully missed his first BBL century, bowled for 96, hitting straight to deep backward point, where Sams took a low catch, inches from the grass.
This Win and Its Importance to the Sixers Such a dominating triumph in the Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder match helped the Sixers win local bragging rights and kick-start the BBL season for the Sixers. The performance of Philippe and the return of Babar Azam to form are excellent omens for the Sixers before the middle phase of the BBL season.
ALSO READ: Shimron Hetmyer Ruled Out Of ILT20 After Hamstring Injury
