Sydney Sixers claim second Big Bash crown with emphatic victory over Melbourne Stars

After rain initially threatened proceedings, Josh Philippe's half century and a fine bowling display saw Moises Henriques' side come out on top

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Sydney Sixers have won a second Big Bash title after completing a clinical victory over Melbourne Stars at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

It had initially been feared that no cricket would be played, with some weather forecasts predicting heavy rain through Saturday in the city. Such a circumstance would also have seen the Sixers secure the crown, having beaten Glenn Maxwell’s side in a qualifier for the final.

However, after poor weather had delayed the start of proceedings, a game of 12 overs per side was arranged.

After being put into bat by the Stars, Josh Philippe – the top run-scorer through the tournament for the Sydney side – made 52, well supported by Steve Smith (21) and Jordan Silk (27).

It was a rare evening of struggle for Haris Rauf, the impressive Pakistani fast bowler who has proven a revelation through the competition after first being signed as injury cover for Dale Steyn.

His three overs were taken for 36, while there were two wickets each for Glenn Maxwell and Adam Zampa as Sydney dragged themselves to 116 for 5 from their truncated innings.

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Nathan Lyon dismissed Marcus Stoinis in the first over of Melbourne's reply

Speaking at the interval, Smith admitted that he felt his team had only reached a par total. Yet, after Marcus Stoinis followed a four and six in the first over of Melbourne’s reply by chipping Nathan Lyon to Sean Abbott at deep midwicket, all else soon subsided.

Nobody has ever scored as many runs in a single Big Bash campaign as Stoinis managed this season, and so his early demise was always likely to have a major impact.

Perhaps, few could have predicted what would follow as Nic Maddinson and Maxwell both fell inside a three-over powerplay that garnered just 19 runs. Maddinson chipped a Josh Hazlewood slower ball tamely to cover, while Maxwell was trapped in front by Steve O’Keefe as he looked to sweep the left-arm spinner.

From there on in, there was little fight left in the table-topping Stars’ batting lineup. Peter Handscomb was unfortunate to be run out as Nick Larkin’s mid-pitch slip left him stranded, before Ben Dunk was Lyon’s second victim to leave Melbourne – at one stage – 40 for 5.

Seb Gotch came and went cheaply, before a late flurry from Nathan Coulter-Nile – who ought to have been better utilised with the bat – gave the scoreline a closer feel than it truly merited.

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