MELBOURNE: Sydney Sixers’ Josh Philippe played brilliant knock of 99 not-out, helping his side defeat Melbourne Stars by seven wickets in their Big Bash League fixture.
Chasing 178, Sixers, started decently, their openers provided a handy 30-runs partnership before James Vince dismissed on just nine, he faced 16 balls and only scored one boundary.
His opening pair, Philippe, however, played contrasting inning; scoring 99 not-out, and getting his side over the line. The batter faced only 61 balls; hitting eleven boundaries and two sixes.
Moises Henriques and Jordan Silk, too, chipped and played valuable innings. Henriques scored 29 off 20 balls; smashing one boundary and two sixes. Whereas, Silk, scored 25 not-out, assisting Phillippe in the run chase. The batter faced 19 balls and hit a boundary.
For Stars, Adam Zampa, Brodu Couch, and Nathan Coulter-Nile, each struck out a batter.
Batting first, the Stars, halted by a poor start; losing first two wickets for just six runs. Joe Clarke bagged a duck, while Marcus Stoinis could only score three.
Nick Larkin and Glenn Maxwell, then, recorded a sensible partnership; adding 53 runs into the team’s total before Larkin dismissed for 23, he faced 25 balls and hit two boundaries.
Maxwell, however, was on song as the batter smashed the ball all over the ground; hitting 12 boundaries and three sixes for his terrific 103, he faced just 57 balls.
Small contributions from Hilton Cartwright and Andre Russell, assisted the Stars, posting a commendable total of 177/5 in 20 overs, which, in the end, proved less.
For Sixers, Steve O’Keefe, Ben Dwarshuis, Chris Jordan, Dan Christian and Hayden Kerr, each took a wicket.
With the victory over Stars, the Sixers have now claimed the top spot on the points table, while the Stars are at third.
