New Zealand batsman Colin Munro's Perth Scorchers have come up just short in the Big Bash final with the Sydney Sixers winning back-to-back titles with a 27-run victory.
The Sixers were playing at home for the first time in the tournament with a crowd of about 25,000 fans in attendance, tied the Scorchers with three titles each after 10 editions of the BBL.
"It was a pretty special atmosphere," Sixers captain Moises Henriques says. "We got used to playing in front of empty stands, so to come home and play in front of this crowd was fantastic and they gave us an extra leg."
The Scorchers won the toss and put the Sixers in and Sydney's opening batsman James Vince smashed 95 off 60 balls including 10 boundaries and three sixes, setting up his side to finish on 188-6 after their 20 overs.
Having scored 98 not out in a successful chase in the qualifier against the same opponents, Vince narrowly missed out on a century when he attempted to cut spinner Fawad Ahmed but produced a thick edge to find Mitchell Marsh at backward point.
In response, the Scorchers started on the front foot with Cameron Bancroft (30) and Liam Livingstone (45) scoring at more than 10 runs per over.
But fast bowler Jackson Bird halted all the momentum with some tight bowling only allowing 14 runs in his first three overs, with the veteran first dismissing Bancroft before getting rid of Livingstone.
Munro couldn't cap off his spectacular tournament, only managing get through to two before Sean Abbott had him caught at mid off trying to clear the infield.
With pressure climbing and 75 runs to get in six overs, Ben Dwarshuis struck twice when Vince first took a sharp diving catch in the covers to dismiss Marsh before Josh Inglis sliced a shot to Henriques at mid off.
Aaron Hardie provided some late fireworks with 26 off 13 but it was too big a mountain to climb as Dwarshuis had him caught for his third wicket, before the tail enders fell cheaply and the Scorchers fell short to finish on 161-9.
"Credit goes to Sydney," Scorchers captain Ashton Turner says. "They've been the best team in the competition for two years and they deserve the title."
Reuters
