Perth Scorchers tighten grip on first place with victory over Sydney Sixers

Despite a half-century from Dan Christian, Sydney Sixers couldn’t chase down 143 in Carrara

Carrara: Perth Scorchers 143-8, Sydney Sixers 133-8 – Perth Scorchers won by 10 runs

Perth Scorchers opened up a six-point gap at the top of the Big Bash table after defeating second-placed Sydney Sixers by 10 runs in Carrara.

Contesting the match as last minute replacements for Covid-stricken Brisbane Heat, the Scorchers were beholden to Aaron Hardie’s 24-ball 45 to rescue them from a batting collapse before surviving a Dan Christian half-century to hang on for victory.

Batting first, the Scorchers lost Cameron Bancroft inside the powerplay before labouring to 62 for 1 at the halfway stage with Kurtis Patterson and Colin Munro in the middle.

However, when Christian removed Patterson (caught Sean Abbott) for 27 with the first ball after drinks, it sparked a collapse which saw the Scorchers lose four wickets for just seven runs.

Laurie Evans departed for a duck in the same over, caught behind by Josh Philippe, before Hayden Kerr struck twice in the 12th to remove Ashton Turner (2) and Munro (27).

^{Aaron Hardie (left) and Dan Christian (right) [Matt Roberts/Getty Images]}

Unfortunately for the Sixers, Hardie, batting at no.6, was in no mood to hang around, sharing a 49-run (31 balls) sixth-wicket stand with Ashton Agar.

Hardie lost partners Agar and AJ Tye in the space of two balls in the 17th and 18th overs, but it did little to halt his momentum as he smashed the final 11 balls for 25 runs to help the Scorchers close on 143 for 8.

Kerr finished with figures of 4 for 32 to temporarily climb to the top of the golden arm standings while Christian collected 2 for 14. Jackson Bird and Sean Abbott picked up one wicket apiece.

In reply, Tymal Mills and Lance Morris wreaked havoc with the Sixers’ usually reliable top order, removing Josh Philippe, Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques and James Vince inside the powerplay to reduce the defending champions to 16 for 4.

Dan Christian and Jordan Silk steadied the ship, adding 45 runs off 52 balls for the fifth wicket before Tye removed Silk and Abbott in quick succession to leave the Sixers 77 runs short of victory with just 43 balls and four wickets remaining.

Those two wickets sparked Christian into life, with the veteran allrounder smashing 44 runs off 26 balls as part of a 57-run stand with Kerr to bring his side back into the contest.

Sadly, with 20 balls required off the final eight deliveries, Christian picked out the fielder at extra cover to depart for 73 (61 balls) and a fine death over from Mills prevent Kerr, Ben Dwarshuis and Bird from scoring the required runs.

Tye was the pick of the Scorchers bowlers, collecting 3 for 17, while Morris and Mills took up 2 for 25 and 3 for 29, respectively.

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