Sydney Sixers secure fourth straight win, top BBL table

The Sydney Sixers continued their strong start to the 2024-25 BBL season, beating the Brisbane Heat by eight wickets at the Brisbane Cricket Ground on Sunday.

The win was Sydney’s fourth from four matches played and puts them top of the table on eight points, four clear of second place.

Cricket bookmakers have shortened their title odds for the Sixers even further as well, paying just $3.20 for them to win the BBL now, ahead of the Perth Scorchers ($5.50) and Melbourne Renegades ($6.50).

Sydney’s latest victory came off the back of a strong bowling effort, with Ben Dwarshuis claiming 4/32 to restrict Brisbane Heat to 9/138 from their 20 overs.

Tom Banton (19 from 12) got the Heat off to a fast start, but after he fell, Jimmy Peirson (24 from 25) and Colin Munro (9 form 17) struggled to get any momentum.

While Nathan McSweeny (34 from 29) anchored the middle overs, tight bowling from Hayden Kerr (2/19) and Akeal Hosein (1/26) strangled the Heat’s hopes.
With a sub-par total in his sights, in-form Sixers’ opener Josh Philippe had a field day.

The wicketkeeper carried his bat, striking 66 from 41 to haul Sydney over the line with 23 balls remaining.

Philippe had company from Kurtis Patterson (32 from 20) and Moises Henriques (29 from 27) for the bulk of his innings, sharing an unbeaten 75-run stand with the latter.

“Was nice to win the toss and bowl,” player-of-the-match Dwarshuis said afterwards.

“There was swing and seam, nice to extract wickets and keep the runs down.

“We identify that (bowling in the Surge) as an area to improve.

“Got to commit to a plan knowing it won’t always work.

“Nice to see wickets shared around. Kerr’s bowling well in the Surge as well.

“But our fielding has been great. Silk took remarkable catches.

“Nice to win against Heat, hope to meet them in the final and get our revenge today.”

Both the Sixers and Heat are in action against on New Year’s Day, with Sydney taking on the Hobart Hurricanes and Brisbane facing cellar-dwellers Melbourne Stars.

Big Bash bookmakers have both as favourites in their respective matches, paying $1.75 for a Sixers’ win and $1.85 for the Heat to prevail.

Sports news