The Sydney Sixers’ winning streak has now hit double digits over the Melbourne Renegades off the back of a six-wicket win on New Year’s Day.
Not since 2019 had the Renegades tasted success over the Sixers.
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But the Sixers successfully chased down 165 with five balls to spare at Marvel Stadium on Thursday to leave the Renegades anchored near the bottom of the BBL table.
Sean Abbott responded to his Australian T20 World Cup snub in style by claiming 3-16 in a man of the match effort for the Sixers.
Only hours after confirmation he had missed out on selection in the final 15-man squad, the Sixers star ran through the Renegades in just his second game back from injury.
Sean Abbott impressed second game back.Source: Getty Images
Abbott had been on the cusp of a dream Ashes Test debut when he was struck down by a hamstring complaint while playing Sheffield Shield cricket in November.
Now back for the Sixers, Abbott was at his destructive best as he took the prized wicket of danger man Jake Fraser-McGurk (38 off 29) before finishing with the three wickets at an economy of just four – including a whopping 14 dot balls.
“Nice to grab a couple of wickets,” he told Fox Cricket.
Talking about that hamstring injury, Abbott said he was just happy to be back on the field.
“I mean if Smithy (NSW captain Steve Smith) had asked me to kept bowling, I probably would have kept bowling,” he shared.
“Just wanted to have a bit of a breather – probably saved myself a couple of months on the bench.
“It’s probably worked out anyway.
“Nice to get out there tonight.”
Disappointment for Will Sutherland and the Renegades.Source: Getty Images
Abbott’s brilliance overshadowed the 19-ball blitz by Renegades opener Josh Brown who set the tone early.
His innings of 41 included three fours and four sixes as Sixer Ben Dwarshuis took the brunt of the damage.
While Dwarshuis would finish with 2-47, the Renegades lost wickets at regular intervals to finish 9-164 off their 20 overs.
In reply, the Sixers were never tested in their run chase as star import Babar Azam delivered for his new side.
Azam finished unbeaten on 58* (off 46 balls) while a late cameo from Joel Davies (34* off 15) ensured it was the Sydney outfit heading home with the points.
CATCH THAT TURNED MATCH
The Renegades were starting to put the foot down at 3-94 in the 12th over.
But it was Sean Abbott again in the thick of the action to send young Oli Peake on his way.
Going from full sunlight into the shade after a 30m run, Abbott held onto the tough chance to send Peake packing.
“I saw it go up – I knew he’d hit it pretty well,” Abbott told Fox Cricket.
“I looked across and there was no long off back. I had to get my skates on a bit.
“It stayed in the air for a long time.
“I didn’t really think I was much chance of getting it.
“I didn’t think I was going to get a hand on it – lucky it stuck.”
The catch capped off a brilliant day for the Aussie star who took 3-16 off his four overs.
WHAT A ‘TOP SHELF’ DIVE
There wasn’t much for the home side to cheer about on New Year’s Day, but the Glenn McGrath-esque diving catch by Hassan Khan was something special to witness.
The Pakistani import went the full length dive out in the deep to hang onto the tough chance and dismiss Sixers skipper Moises Henriques.
“That’s top shelf!” Mark Howard said of the catch.
“Fully airborne! Loses the specs! That’s not going to bother him at all. They just keep alive in the contest,” Adam Gilchrist added.
The catch was one of three Khan took in the field for the Renegades.
But his efforts weren’t enough to save Melbourne from a 10th straight defeat at the hands of the Sixers.
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SQUADS
Renegades: Jason Behrendorff, Josh Brown, Sam Elliott, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Caleb Jewell, Hassan Khan, Fergus O’Neill, Ollie Peake, Muhammad Rizwan, Gurinder Sandhu, Tim Seifert, Matthew Spoors, Will Sutherland (c), Andrew Tye
In: Fergus O’Neill Out: Adam Zampa (injured)
Sixers: Sean Abbott, Babar Azam, Jafer Chohan, Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques (c), Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Ben Manenti, Mitch Perry, Josh Philippe, Lachlan Shaw, Jordan Silk
Ins: Hayden Kerr, Mitch Perry. Outs: Kane Richardson (omitted), Jake Scott (omitted).
