The Sydney Sixers have made it four wins from five in this year’s Big Bash, edging out the Adelaide Strikers with four balls to spare.
A stunning catch by Dan Christian was the highlight in the field for the Sixers, who had the visitors 5-92 with just eight overs to go before some late fireworks from Thomas Kelly (41 off 34) steered the Strikers to a respectable 8-147.
Jordan Silk top scored for Sydney with a vital 36, while some big hitting from Sean Abbott ensured the home side would get there in a tense final over.
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All of Sydney’s top three made starts, but none could go on with it. Both opening batters can win a match on their own on their day, but when James Vince (21 off 24) and Josh Philippe (23 off 20) were dismissed within six balls of each other, the Strikers had a sniff.
Rashid Khan trapped skipper Moises Henriques LBW and then got Christian first ball, before Sean Abbott survived the hat trick delivery.
With 30 needed from the final three overs, a grandstand finish was ensured, with Silk and Abbott up to the task.
The former holed out in the deep in the penultimate over, having got the target down to 14 off nine. It was down to six off six after two boundaries from Abbott in the next three balls.
Strikers skipper Peter Siddle took the rock for the final over, but keeping a team to a run a ball in this format is always a tall task.
Hayden Kerr, with only a handful of games in the magenta, ended things with a massive six over midwicket.
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