Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Scott Heinrich

BBL 2020-21 finals qualifier: Sydney Sixers beat Perth Scorchers – as it happened

James Vince (centre)
Sydney Sixers opener James Vince (centre) is congratulated by teammates after hitting an unbeaten 98 in the Big Bash qualifier win over Perth Scorchers at Manuka Oval. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Summary

An utterly comprehensive triumph by the Sixers, who made mincemeat of a competitive Scorchers total to advance to another home Big Bash final. One that will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground, not Manuka Oval.

James Vince was quite simply devastating, marshalling the run-chase from start to finish with clean hitting and pinpoint precision to register not only his highest BBL score, but the highest by any Sydney Sixers player. The only disappointment on a night of highs for the Sixers was the fact a wide awarded them victory, leaving Vince stranded at the striker’s end on 98.

It was an innings that deserved to reach triple figures, struck off just 53 deliveries and featuring 14 fours and a six. Vince and Josh Philippe approached the chase with gusto, scoring freely from the outset, and even when Philippe departed for 45 in the ninth over the Sixers looked destined for victory.

Earlier, Josh Inglis (69 off 41 balls) was the standout performer as the Scorchers posted 167-8, a score that at the time looked closed to par but would soon be exposed as woefully insufficient. The Scorchers will get their second chance on Thursday but will need to regroup quickly. They can point to a curious decision to bat first and even Mitchell Marsh’s unfair dismissal as contributing factors in their downfall, but the reality is they were a clear second best. The Sixers, however, are into their fifth Big Bash final and in prime position to make it successive titles.

Sydney Sixers win by nine wickets!

17 overs: Sydney Sixers 168-1 chasing 168 (Vince 98, Hughes 21)

Oh yes for the Sixers but oh no for Vince as first ball Tye concedes a leg-side wide to hand the Sixers victory but keep Vince stranded on 98. Vince glares down the pitch, Tye apologises, but all the same that is a huge win for the Sixers, who are through to a home final.

Updated

17th over: Sydney Sixers 167-1 chasing 168 (Vince 98, Hughes 21) Richardson returns. The Sixers call for the Power Surge and Vince does the rest, driving down the ground to move to 97 before moving to 98 with a single. Hmmm. That leaves Hughes with potentially four balls to face. First ball he hooks for four, leaving the Sixers with just one run to win. Hughes keeps out a yorker, then blocks another and then lets one through to the keeper to see out the over!

16th over: Sydney Sixers 158-1 chasing 168 (Vince 93, Hughes 17) Livinstone returns to the attack. About the only imponderable now is whether Vince can get his hundred. Hughes is doing what he can to ensure he does, taking singles whenever he is on strike. But Vince can’t do any better himself as five singles precede two for Hughes through deep extra-cover. Good batting. The end is nigh.

15th over: Sydney Sixers 151-1 chasing 168 (Vince 90, Hughes 13) Four more for Vince - his 12th of the innings - and it’s another beautifully timed shot, this time driven down the ground. Now make that 13 boundaries as Livingstone bungles a save in the deep his really should have made. Livingstone then gets it right to keep Vince’s cover drive to two. This has been an almighty knock by the Englishman.

14th over: Sydney Sixers 139-1 chasing 168 (Vince 79, Hughes 12) Vince’s timing and placing has been 10/10 tonight and this time he beats cover and splits the two fielders in the deep for four more. This is now Vince’s highest BBL score and what a time to do it. Ones and dots follow but that’s just fine for the Sixers. They can take the foot off the pedal.

13th over: Sydney Sixers 132-1 chasing 168 (Vince 74, Hughes 10) Richardson returns. Hughes gets nowhere near his attempted pull as the ball flies off the top edge and straight onto his helmet, ricocheting over the keeper’s head for three more. The better the Sixers bat, the luckier they get. Some casually hit, and casually run, singles follow before Richardson gifts the Sixers a free run with a short wide down leg. This is all a bit too easy for the Sixers.

12th over: Sydney Sixers 124-1 chasing 168 (Vince 72, Hughes 5) Behrendorff on but it could be anyone to Vince, who is seeing them like beach balls now and steers the ball with exquisite placement to the third-man fence. Vince ends the over as he started it, this time flicking one off his tows to find the fine-leg rope. Twelve from the over. Scorchers are seemingly without answer to this onslaught.

Updated

11th over: Sydney Sixers 112-1 chasing 168 (Vince 61, Hughes 4) Tye returns to the attack with the Scorchers in desperate need of another breakthrough. Normal service is soon resumed, however, as Vince helps himself to a brutish boundary pulled through midwicket. The Sixers can more ort less get there in singles now if they choose.

Half-century! Vince 51 off 26 balls

10th over: Sydney Sixers 104-1 chasing 168 (Vince 54, Hughes 3) Turner on now as the Scorchers decide pace off the ball is the way to go. The part-timer raps Hughes on the front pad and appeals, but it looks to be sliding down leg. Vince then registers his very hasty fifty, going high over mid-on for six and just evading the extended hands of Hardie on the rope. Time for drinks.

WICKET! Philippe c Fawad b Livingstone 45 (Sixers 92-1)

9th over: Sydney Sixers 93-1 chasing 168 (Vince 38, Hughes 1)

Now it’s Livingstone and Vince presumes, correctly, that it’s still open season on the Scorchers attack, helping himself to four more driven through extra cover. Twos and ones follow as the batsmen explore all areas of Manuka before finally ... FINALLY! ... the Scorchers strike, Fawad taking a neat catch diving forward at leg gully to get rid of Philippe. My, did the Scorchers need that.

Updated

8th over: Sydney Sixers 84-0 chasing 168 (Philippe 44, Vince 38) Fawad continues. Back in his crease, Philippe waits on a shortish one and cuts through the covers for a well-placed boundary. If that was finesse the next shot was brute strength as the Sixers opener uses his feet and carts the spinner over deep extra cover for a massive six. These runs are flowing ridiculously fast, and a little too easily, for the Sixers.

7th over: Sydney Sixers 71-0 chasing 168 (Philippe 32, Vince 37) Hardie on now. Dropped catch! Vince dances down the pitch but doesn’t get a great deal of the shot as Tye runs back from mid-off and spills the tough, but very catchable, chance. Vince then rubs salt into the wound with three successive boundaries, the latter of which zooms just past the keeper of a thick outside edge. The Sixers race to 71 without loss. The platform is very much laid.

Updated

6th over: Sydney Sixers 56-0 chasing 168 (Philippe 31, Vince 23) Fawad on now as the Scorchers opt for spin. It’s a searching first over from the leggie, who keeps the batsmen back in the crease and is caressed around the ground for ones and twos. The Scorchers need a breakthrough here.

5th over: Sydney Sixers 49-0 chasing 168 (Philippe 25, Vince 22) Richardson returns but if he’s refreshed after that costly over it doesn’t show as Vince pulls his first offering over midwicket for four. But Richardson recovers to find his proper line and length, conceding just two runs from the over’s remaining five deliveries.

4th over: Sydney Sixers 43-0 chasing 168 (Philippe 25, Vince 16) Behrendorff again. Another straight drive, this time off Vince’s blade, earns three more down the ground before Philippe collects one more with a sweetly struck pull. The opener is then guilty of his first false shot, popping one up but safely out of reach, before making it 10 from the over with a boundary backward of point.

Updated

3rd over: Sydney Sixers 33-0 chasing 168 (Philippe 19, Vince 12) Tye on for Richardson. Philippe misreads the pace of the ball and is through his shot by the time the ball slams into his midriff. He winces in pain but recovers in time to whip Tye through midwicket for three, a shot that would’ve been for if not for Munro’s athletic save on the rope. Philippe then stands and delivers, driving Tye hard on the crease for four down the ground. Such clean hitting. Good start by the Sixers.

2nd over: Sydney Sixers 23-0 chasing 168 (Philippe 14, Vince 9) Behrendorff from the other end. His first offering is decent enough but Vince soft-hands a cute edge past the keeper to get off the mark with a boundary. Another boundary follows two deliveries later but it could easily have been a catch had Richardson picked up the flight of the ball earlier at leg gully. It did go to him very fast, mind.

1st over: Sydney Sixers 13-0 chasing 168 (Philippe 13, Vince 0) Richardson opens for the Scorchers and if anyone needed reminding of his smarts with the new ball, first ball he beats the outside edge of Philippe with one that nips away from the right-hander. But Philippe responds as very few others can, driving over mid-on for four before picking up the length very early and flicking his wrists to collect six more over deep square. Nice finish from Richardson to beat Vince’s bat but that’s still 13 from the over.

Perth Scorchers 167-6

The Scorchers really tucked in late, scoring 69 runs off the final five overs to post a total that looks more than competitive. The Sixers bowled well for the most part but lost their way in the rush home as Inglis (69 off 41 balls) and Ashton Turner (33 off 22) undid the early good work of the Sixers attack. It’s a good total, but the Sixers are a (very) good batting side. Game very much on.

20th over: Perth Scorchers 167-6 (Inglis 69, Hardie 8) Henriques could have gone to Abbott but he goes to Bird. Hardie likes what he sees, hoicking the paceman high over square- leg to get off the mark with a six. Inglis then gets every bit of a slower one from Bird, leaning forward swatting over midwicket for another six. Big runs late for the Scorchers and that’s 16 runs from the final over.

Updated

WICKET! Richardson c Christian b Dwarshuis 0 (Scorchers 145-6)

19th over: Perth Scorchers 151-6 (Inglis 61, Hardie 0)

Richardson comes and goes in an instant, picking out Christian at long-on for a first ball duck. Inglis then completes the penultimate over with a big six.

WICKET! Turner c Silk b Dwarshuis 33 (Scorchers 144-5)

Turner gives himself acres of space, stepping well inside the line, but Dwarshuis overcorrects and bowls a wide down leg. Silk then shows why he is the most aptly names cricket going around, showing balance, poise and crispy clean hand skills on the rope to send Turner packing. What marvellous skills. Silky.

Half-century! Inglis 50 off 34 balls

18th over: Perth Scorchers 143-4 (Inglis 54, Turner 33)

Turner takes Brathwaite for three before Inglis plays an audacious reverse scoop and earns three over the keeper’s head to register his well-deserved fifty. A single and a two follow before the batsmen scurry through for two down to fine-leg and a desperate dive from Inglis sees him just survive as Philippe breaks the stumps.

Updated

17th over: Perth Scorchers 131-4 (Inglis 47, Turner 28) Dwarshuis returns. Four runs flow from the first delivery but it is a bizarre shot from Inglis, who premeditates a scoop but times it poorly as the ball ricochets off the back of the bat and beats the keeper. Dwarshuis then loses his radar - bowling two off-side wides in three deliveries - before Turner cuts smartly but is kept to two runs by some sharp fielding on the rope by Abbott. A couple of singles completes the over from Dwarshuis, whose three wicketless overs have gone for 32 runs. Good surge from the Scorchers.

Updated

16th over: Perth Scorchers 121-4 (Inglis 42, Turner 25) Power Surge taken, Abbott returns. His first offering is too short by some way and Turner doesn’t need asking twice with the field up, swatting over point for six. Next ball goes for four and the ball after that goes for six over deep point. Great batting, and equally good fielding by the bloke on the outer who takes a catch with his right hand while his left holds his beer. Doesn’t spill a drop. Later in the over Inglis hops into another short one from Abbott, cutting high over gully for four.

The Sixers then surely have their man as Inglis skies one high into the sky, but Philippe perhaps loses it in the lights in a costly dropped catch. Twenty-three runs from the over.

15th over: Perth Scorchers 98-4 (Inglis 36, Turner 9) O’Keefe to conclude his spell. The left-arm spinner races through his over and the batsmen can’t get settled as the over goes for a two and five singles. Excellent return from O’Keefe, 1-20.

14th over: Perth Scorchers 91-4 (Inglis 32, Turner 6) Brathwaite on for his third over. Turner collects a couple of twos either side of the wicket. Chatter continues after that controversial Marsh dismissal. No sign of the surge.

WICKET! Marsh c Philippe b O'Keefe 2 (Scorchers 85-4)

13th over: Perth Scorchers 86-4 (Inglis 32, Turner 1)

Big wicket. It’s a crude delivery from O’Keefe, wide down the leg side, but Marsh chases it and feathers an edge into the gloves of Philippe, who takes a very smart catch. Marsh glares down the pitch at the umpire and is not happy. Hmmm. Looks like he might have actually missed it. But the umpire’s finger is up and that is out. Sixers on top.

WICKET! Munro c Silk b Bird 30 (Scorchers 81-3)

12th over: Perth Scorchers 83-3 (Inglis 31, Marsh 0)

Bird back for his third over. A single and two dot balls puts the Scorchers into a mini-rut and the pressure, or perceived pressure, shows as Munro goes aerial but doesn’t get all of it and picks out Silk at deep mid-wicket. Timely breakthrough for the Sixers.

11th over: Perth Scorchers 80-2 (Munro 30, Inglis 29) Brathwaite returns after the drinks break. Inglis picks up two runs behind square and it’s a good over after that - just two singles from four deliveries - before Brathwaite errs wide down leg and concedes a no-ball. Six from the over.

10th over: Perth Scorchers 74-2 (Munro 29, Inglis 26) Abbott again. Inglis glances fine fore one before Munro flashes hard, feet planted, and is lucky to just evade the outstretched fingers of Dwarshius at short third-man. For good measure, the ball runs away for four. Inglis then pulls for a quick two and it’s time for drinks. These two now going along nicely for the Scorchers.

9th over: Perth Scorchers 65-2 (Munro 24, Inglis 22) Christian on for his roll of the arm for the evening. Inglis pulls through midwicket for two before pouncing on a slower ball and driving for four. He’s looking dangerous, Inglis.

8th over: Perth Scorchers 56-2 (Munro 23, Inglis 14) Bird is back for more. Inglis greets him back by hitting a boundary with a scoot that he couldn’t have telegraphed earlier if he tried. Bird actually put it in the right spot, offering a half-volley, and Inglis did the rest. Later in trhe over, Inglis relaxes his hands to one outside off and sends a very deliberate edge to the fence. Clever, classy batting. Bird has the last word, however, fairly well cutting Munro in half with a leg-cutter that beats the lot.

7th over: Perth Scorchers 45-2 (Munro 23, Inglis 3) O’Keefe continues. It’s more of the same from the probing left-armer, who keeps both batsmen between two minds and concedes just three singles in the over.

WICKET! Livingstone c Henriques b Brathwaite 15 (Scorchers 39-2)

6th over: Perth Scorchers 41-2 (Munro 21, Inglis 1)

Brathwaite on now. Deep gully in place to Livingstone, who square cuts to that very fielder - on the bounce - before driving again ... and perishing as he picks out Henriques at short extra-cover. The bowler celebrates with a jig, a shimmy and a shake. The Scorchers are getting a move-on but the Sixers are on top.

Updated

5th over: Perth Scorchers 36-1 (Livingstone 12, Munro 20) O’Keefe now. Pace off the ball, both batsmen are compelled to force the issue but it’s a good over from the left-armer and the field is now set deep. Six singles from the over.

Here’s that big biff from Livingstone.

4th over: Perth Scorchers 30-1 (Livingstone 10, Munro 16) Six! Awesome timing from Livingstone, who uses his feet and clubs Dwarshuis back over the bowler’s head. Munro then gets in on the act, pulling for six before inside-edging an attempted drive that beats Philippe and runs away for four. Good comeback in the power play by the batting side.

WICKET! Roy c & b Abbott 3 (Scorchers 5-1)

3rd over: Perth Scorchers 11-1 (Livingstone 2, Munro 5)

Abbott on and he strikes second ball. It’s just an average delivery but it’s a nothing sort of shot from Roy, who chip-drives the ball back to the bowler. Nice trouser from Abbott but a soft dismissal. Maybe the deck is a bit slower than first thought?

Munro makes an immediate impact, clearing mid-off for the first boundary of the match.

Updated

2nd over: Perth Scorchers 4-0 (Roy 3, Livingstone 1) Bird from the other end. Over the wicket. One gets a bit big on Livingstone, who hangs his bat in wait and collects a single to short mid-on before Bird is a bit fuller and beats Roy with swing away from the right-hander. Try as they might - and they’re trying: Roy dead-set cross-bats a mishit slog back to the bowler - the Scorchers openers can’t get a handle on this new-ball pair. Nice start from the Sixers.

1st over: Perth Scorchers 1-0 (Roy 1, Livingstone 0) Dwarshuis with the new white ball. Movement inwards to Roy straight from the off. Dot ball to begin with. Second ball, Roy charges down the pitch and misses his cross-bat slog as the ball flies over middle stump. A Roy single nurdled to midwicket gets the scoring under way before Livingstone straight out misses with his forward defensive prod. Good over from Dwarshuis, excellent length.

Close now. Oh so close.

A little look-see into what we can expect tonight.

ICYMI last night. Seriously, how good is this catch taken by Ben Laughlin in last night’s eliminator. It’s right on so many levels. Gets better every time you look at it.

Updated

Beautiful night in the capital. About 27C at the present time. Ripping conditions for cricket.

It’s quite incredible how Dan Christian keeps on keeping on at such a high level. Age shall not weary the Sixers all-rounder, who wouldn’t look out of place back in an Australia limited-overs side.

For sure, I’d still love to be playing in that Australian side,” Christian said this week. “If the opportunity arises, great. But one of the things I’ve focused on is just win games and competitions.”

And he’s done plenty of that. But precisely how many Big Bash titles has he won?

Scorchers have won the bat flip and will bat first

Sydney Sixers: Josh Philippe (w), James Vince, Daniel Hughes, Moises Henriques (c), Jordan Silk, Dan Christian, Carlos Brathwaite, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Steve O’Keefe, Jackson Bird
X-Factor subs: Lloyd Pope, Hayden Kerr

Perth Scorchers: Jason Roy, Liam Livingstone, Colin Munro, Josh Inglis (w), Mitch Marsh, Ashton Turner (c), Aaron Hardie, Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Fawad Ahmed
X-Factor subs: Joel Paris, Cameron Bancroft

Both teams are unchanged.

Updated

Preamble

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the BBL qualifier between Sydney Sixers and Perth Scorchers. The cream has risen to the top this year and the golden ticket through to the final, with hosting rights thrown in for good measure, will be fought over by the two best teams in the tournament.

Honours are shared in two meetings between the teams this season. The Sixers will be happy to return to Manuka Oval, where they exacted revenge on the Scorchers following a heavy loss to the WA outfit in Perth. The stage is set for a torrid battle in the third chapter of a story that might yet extend beyond tonight.

Both teams possess the enviable ability to score heavily and to do it quickly. Josh Philippe was imperious when the Sixers chased down the Scorchers at Manuka, slaying 84 runs off 52 balls and sharing in a whirlwind partnership of 106 with James Vince. Only Alex Hales has scored more runs than Philippe in this year’s BBL, but the scoring threat exists up and down the order with the Sixers batting as deep as anyone. For the Scorchers, the likes of Jason Roy, Liam Livingstone and Colin Munro can do untold damage at the top of the order. The two attacks are also outstanding. There isn’t likely a better new-ball pair than the Scorchers’ Jhye Richardson and Jason Behrendorff, the former leading the tournament with 27 scalps, while the Sixers have great variety with the ball and can dismantle an opposition innings in several different ways.

Really looking forward to this match. If you’d like to have a say, and I encourage you to do so, drop me an email or tweet @scott_heinrich

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
“Who The Hell Is That Guy?”: Fans Convinced Something Is Seriously Off In Viral Jim Carrey Footage
“I’ve been watching this dude almost my whole life. That isn’t Jim Carrey,” wrote one user.
Bored Panda
Bored Panda
Is Your Protein Powder Safe? New Report Finds High Lead Levels in Popular Brands
You drink your protein shake to feel stronger, healthier, and more energized. However, what if the one thing you rely on every morning is quietly exposing you to lead? Independent testing released in 2025 found that many popular protein powders contain measurable levels of heavy metals. These results, including a…
Budget and the Bees
Budget and the Bees
Rumors The New James Bond Has Already Been Cast Have (Reportedly) Been Greatly Exaggerated
Will the next James Bond please stand up?
Cinemablend
Cinemablend
4Chan broke the news of Epstein’s death 38 minutes before anyone else—and the FBI still can’t figure out how
Newly declassified docs shed light on the matter.
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
‘The budget lowers every video’: Man Can’t Stop Hiring Michael Jackson Impersonators To His House Parties
How many Michael Jackson impersonators does one person need in their party? Most people would answer just one, but TikTok user ‘domthetroll.tiktok’ had an unusual response to that question.
The Mary Sue
The Mary Sue
I Cannot Get Over The Wholesome Take Jennifer Garner Has About Being Stopped In ‘Airports’ Over 13 Going On 30
It has to be such a thrill-er.
Cinemablend
Cinemablend
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play