Sixers stay unbeaten in BBL with big win over Heat

Josh Philippe has guided the Sydney Sixers to a comfortable win over Brisbane in the BBL. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

The Sydney Sixers have maintained their unbeaten start to the BBL with an eight-wicket demolition of the Brisbane Heat.

With the Gabba a sell-out for the rematch of last year's final, the 30,122 mostly home fans were kept quiet for most of the Heat innings as the Sixers bowlers turned the screws to restrict the hosts to 9-138.

The Sixers made short work of the chase with opener Josh Philippe (66no) and No.3 Kurtis Patterson (32 off 20 deliveries) severe on the Heat bowlers, who were mostly too short.

Philippe was all class in his 17th BBL half-century and was the rock on which the run chase was built as the Sixers reached their target off the first ball of the 17th over.

Sixers skipper Moises Henriques (29no) became the fourth player in BBL history to score 3000 runs.

Left-armer Ben Dwarshuis (4-32) earlier continued his outstanding form for the Sixers and is now the leading wicket taker in this summer's BBL with 10 wickets.

Dwarshuis was on a hat-trick in the final over when Matthew Kuhnemann smashed a return catch low and to his right but the ball burst through his outstretched hand.

The speedster was named man of the match and said it was another step towards the Sixers' ultimate goal after the heartbreak of last year's final loss to the Heat.

Ben Dwarshuis.
Ben Dwarshuis (left) took four wickets to help put the Sixers on course for victory.

"It doesn’t quite get revenge for what happened last year but we are a step closer to getting into the final and going a step further this year," Dwarshuis told AAP.

"It’s been a really good team start to the season. With the bat and ball everyone has contributed. 

"Josh (Philippe) is in great touch and it makes a big difference when guys at the top of the order are scoring runs.We are building pressure throughout the innings with the ball. 

"All the bowlers are doing their job and I am the one getting the wickets for now. It is nice to be getting the accolades."

Heat opener Tom Banton (19 off 12) launched spinner Akeal Hosein for six off the second delivery of the match with an audacious reverse sweep but the Sixers kept the hosts to just 24 runs in the powerplay.

Brisbane skipper Colin Munro is yet to reach double figures in this BBL campaign and was out of sorts again (9 off 17) before being brilliantly caught at deep midwicket by Jordan Silk, who sprinted to his right before diving to complete the dismissal.

It was Silk's 81st catch in the BBL but his 82nd was from another planet when he sprinted and dived full length to snare the ball in his right hand millimetres from the turf to dismiss Jimmy Peirson (24), also at midwicket. 

Nathan McSweeney (34 off 29) top scored for the Heat but lacked support.

Victory took the Sixers to eight points after four matches, four clear of five other sides including the defending champion Heat, who have now lost two in a row.

The Sixers were far superior in the field, where Silk set the bar high and his teammates all lifted. 

Brisbane bumbled in the field. Munro and Paul Walter were left looking at each other as the ball bounce between them when Philippe skied a swipe early in his innings.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store