It’s sudden death for the Sydney Sixers tonight who sit precariously on the edge of the top four coming into the final game of the season against the Melbourne Stars, who also risk elimination. Catch all the live scores, highlights and BBL action on The Roar from 7:25pm (AEDT).
This has been one of the tightest T20 competitions of all time this season, with all but one side capable of making the finals leading into the final round of games.
The Sixers sit in fifth at the moment on the wrong end of a poor net run rate that has hampered their chances at reaching the top four.
A win tonight would shoot them up from fifth all the way into at least second place, with a chance of a taking top spot if they can really run over the Stars.
Two points tonight would guarantee them a home final, but a loss would mean no final at all, such are the stakes for tonight’s high-pressure contest.
Same goes for the Stars, with a win guaranteeing first place, but if they lose heavily, they have the potential to drop from second down to fifth on net run rate. It’s a fine line for the two sides.
Both sides are coming off losses leading into this one.
The Stars were dealt with fairly easily by the Heat on Tuesday, losing by seven wickets after a poor batting display left the Melbourne side reeling with the ball in hand.
The Sixers copped a loss as well, but they were hammered by cross-town rivals, the Thunder.
The Sixers lost 6/15 at one point through the middle of the innings and limped to the 20 over mark on a poultry 99 runs.
To make matters worse, the Thunder knocked over the runs in just 10 overs, absolutely destroying the Sixers net run rate and leaving them in the precarious position they find themselves in at the moment.
Sydney have been able to contain a lot of batting sides with their strike power, including the competition’s leading wicket-taker Sean Abbott.
They’ve had to bowl well to compensate for a batting line-up that has disappointed a bit this season, despite some strong form from opener Daniel Hughes at the top of the order.
Similarly, Melbourne’s star attractions haven’t quite clicked this season with Kevin Pietersen being the only one to shape up, picking up a pair of half centuries throughout the tournament.
Prediction
Sydney will have to bounce back big time from their shocker against the Thunder, but they’ve proven to be a resilient side this season.
The Stars look to have the better overall side leading into the game though and the home ground and massive MCG crowd might be a big factor as well.
Melbourne Stars to win by 3 wickets or 8 runs
Catch all the live scores, highlights and BBL action on The Roar from 7:25pm (AEDT).
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
The Scorchers will be happy to play the Stars,the way the Stars are playing,if that makes sense, whereas the Stars won't be happy to play the Scorchers, the way the Scorchers are playing.No Scorchers player in the top 10 for runs or wickets,or economy or average,but they are the best at the death. Turner averages a catch a game and Tye is the best all-rounder.Johnson is the best fast bowler and Agar the second best spinner(among the top four. Do the Stars stand a chance?
JoM
Guest
Along with "Leave your ego at the door".
JoM
Guest
A team full of champions is not always a champion team. Back in my swimming days we had lots of little plaques with quotes on them around the walls of the indoor pool I trained at, and that was one of them and the one the coach always said was the most important.
Garry Edwards
Guest
Did someone say the Stars are to rename themselves the Melbourne Chokers? Or was that last year or maybe the year before or before that. When will the Stars administration understand a team of stars is not a Star team. Talk about continually banging your head against the wall for the same result.
Connor Bennett
Editor
So here's how the final standings sit. - The Sixers have moved up into third place now. - A loss means that the Stars don't get a home final and end up finishing fourth - The Stars losing also means that cross-town rivals the Renegades have been knocked out of the tournament. - Brisbane Heat remain in second place and keep their home final and will host the Sixers. - The other Semi final will be the Scorchers hosting the Stars
Connor Bennett
Editor
Abbott and Botha come through as the unlikely batting heroes, putting on a crucial 59-run partnership at the death off just 28 deliveries. The 19th over from Scott Boland began with the game in the balance, but ended with two wides, a no ball and 17 runs to nearly gift the Sixers the win under pressure.
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
SYDNEY SIXERS WIN BY 3 WICKETS What a comeback victory for the Sixers and the Stars have blown their chance at a home final in favour of letting the Sixers into the finals. All looked lost for Sydney when they fell to 6/97 needing more than ten an over with the tail order at the crease. A superb innings from Sean Abbott and a supporting role from Johan Botha turned the game on it's head and allowed the pink Sydney side to keep their season alive. SYD 7/160 MEL 8/156
Connor Bennett
Editor
18.6 Ben Dwarshuis comes to the crease with one run required from 7 balls... and they have it!! The Sixers win!!! FOUR!! Short from Boland with a slip in place just outside off. Dwarshuis took a bit of a wild slash at it, getting a thick outside edge, but it flies painfully wide of first slip and away to the third man boundary. What a comeback for the Sixers to get the win and take their spot in the finals. SYD 7/160 (Target 157)
Connor Bennett
Editor
18.5 OUT!! J Botha c & b Boland 25 (13) OH!! What a catch from Boland!! Low full toss on the ankles and Botha looks to finish the game by driving back down the ground. He hits it hard back down the ground but Boland plucks it out of the air one-handed and brings it in after a little bobble. No one wants to celebrate but that was an outstanding catch. SYD 7/156 (Target 157)
Connor Bennett
Editor
18.4 2 runs needed from 9 balls now. Short and wide from Boland and Abbott cuts into extra cover. They take off, but it's just kept to one and the scores are level now. SYD 6/156 (Target 157)
AREH
Roar Guru
Credit to the Sixers, they looked in serious trouble at 6/97. Shows the advantages of batting deep in this format.
Connor Bennett
Editor
18.3 FOUR!! How about that from Botha. Boland gave him the bouncer and Botha just backs away and scoops it over the keepers head and away to the third man boundary... and it's a NO BALL as well. Can you believe it. SYD 6/154 (Target 157)
Connor Bennett
Editor
18.2 Two wides!! The Stars are falling apart here. Boland wanted the slower ball bouncer as he tries to follow Abbott down the leg side but he gets it way too far down and it's called wide. To rub salt in the wound, they rush through for a sneaky single as well. SYD 6/146 (Target 157)
Connor Bennett
Editor
18.1 14 runs from 12 balls needed Boland to Botha. Just back of a length with a hint of width and that's enough for Botha to lean back and guide the late cut down to third man for a single. SYD 6/144 (Target 157)
Connor Bennett
Editor
17.5 SIX!!! Abbott is on fire!! Short ball again from Hilfenhaus but he doesn't get it right this time. Abbott rocks back in the crease, swivels off the back foot and creams the pull shot long and high over the square leg boundary. SYD 6/142 (Target 157)
Connor Bennett
Editor
17.4 Slower bouncer from Hilfenhaus and that was a very good delivery. Abbott was all around that one and ended up just pulling out of the stroke. Dot balls are key here. Obviously. SYD 6/136 (Target 157)
Connor Bennett
Editor
17.2 FOUR!! Sean Abbott is turning this game right around. Hilfenhaus went full again, but overpitched and it turned into a low full toss. Abbott gets down on the knee and just smashes that one low and hard back over the bowlers head. One bounce four. SYD 6/136 (Target 157)
Connor Bennett
Editor
17.1 It's tightening up now. 26 from 18 needed as Ben Hilfenhaus comes back into the attack. Full from Hilfenhaus outside off and Botha just squeezes it out wide enough of gully to scurry through for a single. SYD 6/132 (Target 157)
Ozibatla
Guest
Another great Juniorism: "If ya get two a ball off every ball of the over, thats 10 off the over"... Good stuff Junior!