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Sydney Sixers overcame numerous challenges on and off-the-field to beat a red-hot Adelaide Strikers and book a rematch with Perth Scorchers in the final after a humiliating 48-run defeat in the first qualifier. Hard-hitting batter Hayden Kerr promoted to the top of the order in absence of Covid-19 positive Josh Phillipe and unfit Daniel Hughes, scored an unbeaten 98 to guide Sixers to a four-wicket in the final-ball thriller at Sydney Cricket Ground.
Change in order works
Chasing a tricky total of 168, Kerr single-handedly took charge of the run chase while Justin Avendano struggled in the powerplay overs and managed just one runs off eight deliveries. Jake Carden too disappointed with a 13-ball 10 followed by skipper Moises Henriques’ 16-ball 13 and veteran all-rounder Daniel Christian’s disappointing one-run knock. Despite mediocre batting at the other end, Kerr kept Strikers’ skipper Peter Siddle on his toes. Siddle also rued the missed opportunity in the fourth over when Matt Renshaw an easy chance of Kerr’s when the latter was batting for just 19.
Much-needed support
The 25-year-old reached his half-century off 31 deliveries in the 11th over. With four wickets down, Sixers were on track in the run chase with 101 runs from 14.1 overs. Finally, Kerr found some support in Sean Abbott who scored 41 runs off just 20 balls including two fours and two sixes.
Dramatic final over
Abbott was quick between the wickets too but lost his wicket off the first ball of the final over with 12 more needed from five deliveries. Ben Dwarshuis, the half-centurion of previous match got promoted to no.7, but he got run out for a duck trying to help Kerr get back on strike. New batter Jordan Silk managed a single off the third delivery. When Sixers needed 10 off final three deliveries, Kerr cleared the boundary and hit Harry Conway for a maximum. He followed it up with a couple of runs. Before the final ball, Silk walked off the field almost limping to give chance to debutant wicketkeeper-batter Jay Lenton as all three results were possible. But off the final delivery, Kerr held his shape and flicked one towards deep mid-wicket where the fielder fumbled, and the ball went for boundary.
Unreal numbers
Kerr missed a well-deserved century as he remained unbeaten for 98 off 58 deliveries including 10 fours and two sixes. It was also his maiden half-century in T20 cricket. Before the encounter, he had 87 runs from just 11 innings.
Worst possible start
After Henriques asked Strikers to bat first, the visitors got off to a poor start losing three wickets for just 21 runs in form of Alex Carey, Matthew Short and Travis Head. Once again, mid-season English recruit Ian Cockbain steadied the ship. Cockbain shared a crucial 83-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Jonathan Wells. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 48 runs off 42 deliveries including two fours and two sixes.
Ideal finish
Strikers recovered very well as they scored 105 runs from the last 10 overs. Matt Renshaw contributed with an unbeaten 20-ball 36 cameo including three fours and two sixes. Wells walked off the field 67 not out from 52 balls including five fours and one six. The two shared a 63-run partnership for the fifth wicket from 34 deliveries. For Sixers, Abbott was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets in his four overs, conceding 27 runs.
