Canberra – A BBL best 98no by James Vince took Sydney Sixers into their second consecutive final. Chasing Perth Scorchers 167, James and Josh Philippe (45) set up the Sixers 9 wicket win with a 92-run partnership.
Playing shots all around the Manuka Oval, James took 25 balls to reach his 50 (1 six, 7 fours). While Josh, the Sixers leading run getter in BBL 10, hit 45 off 28 balls. James and Josh took runs off the Scorchers bowlers from the outset. Aided by leaky bowling and porous fielding, the Sixers openers quickly took all the heat out of the Scorchers.
On his way to 98no, James passed his previous best BBL knock (75) vs Brisbane Heat back in January 2019.
The Sixers claimed their place in the final with 17 overs completed. Yet, the conclusion to this qualifier was unsatisfactory.
With the scores level, and James requiring 2 runs for his century, AJ Tye bowled a bouncer down the leg-side at the start of the eighteenth over. The umpire called a wide, giving the Sixers the win, but denying James the chance of reaching his century.
As a footnote to the match, Liam Livingstone passed 3000 T20 runs during the Scorchers innings.
(PhoenixMedia Image Created from a Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)