Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Sixers Match Highlights & Results

Right then, we have our first confirmed finalists in the form of Sydney Sixers but there are still a couple of big games to go before we find out who joins them in the deciding match. Perth Scorchers will now take on Adelaide Strikers in the Knockout game on Saturday, 20 January and the winner of that one will then go on to face Brisbane Heat for a spot in the final but the loser will be sent home. The Knockout game will begin at 2.10 pm IST (8.40 am GMT) but our build-up to the game will begin a lot sooner. Do join us then. Take care and goodbye!

Ben Dwarshuis is the Player of the Match for his stunning five-wicket haul. He says that it was a competitive total as the wicket was two-paced with a variable bounce and that their plan was pretty simple to stick to the basics and allow the opposition to make mistakes. Adds that it feels great to qualify for the Final and that it will be an enormous opportunity for them to play in front of their home crowd. Ends up saying that they love their fans as they always turn up in huge numbers especially when they play the finals and he is hopeful of lifting the trophy this year.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Nathan McSweeney won the bat flip and put Sydney Sixers into bat under hot and humid conditions and this decision was backed by his bowlers as they kept things tight and got a couple of early wickets as well. After a sluggish start, the Sixers' skipper Moises Henriques got a hold of the bowlers and really cashed in after being dropped twice in his early twenties. Daniel Hughes played a lovely supporting knock and both of them just turned on the heat in the Power Surge picking 38 runs in two overs. Spencer Johnson was brilliant early on for the Heat and he along with Michael Neser and even Xavier Bartlett who had been put away for plenty early on, stitched a comeback and kept the Sixers down to just 152 runs. Coming to the chase, the Heat never got going and were second-best throughout the chase as a strong group effort with the ball and in the field saw Sydney Sixers sail into the Final.

Brisbane Heat were missing a lot of their key batters and it showed as the players that came in just couldn't do the job under pressure. Josh Brown was probably the biggest culprit as he ate up a lot of deliveries up top and then got out as well. Former skipper, Jimmy Peirson did try a few shots and got some runs but he too fell and after that whoever came in, got into double figures and got out. No one really played an anchor role and once the required rate got out of hand, they had to just go for the shots. The lower order did get a few boundaries away and for a few minutes Matt Renshaw threatened as well but in the end, it was a big defeat for the Heat in front of their home fans.

What a resounding win for Sydney Sixers and they are back in the Grand Finale of the Big Bash League after missing out last time around against this very same Brisbane Heat team and will host the Final at the Sydney Cricket Ground as well a few days from now. The Heat will be disappointed but they will get another bite at the cherry at the same venue either against the Scorchers or the Strikers. Sydney Sixers the second-most decorated team in the history of the competition just seem to have a knack for winning the big games and even though they have struggled in the Finals in recent years, their experience has come good for them this time around. They had a fighting total on the board but their pacers upfront gave them an immaculate start by keeping things really tight. Ben Dwarshuis came in and cashed in on the tight start by dismissing Josh Brown after which they were able to pick up wickets at regular intervals. Moises Henriques was brilliant in his captaincy as he bowled most of the overs of the pacers from one end where they got some additional bounce and plenty of wickets. Jack Edwards and Hayden Kerr got a couple of wickets each but it was Ben Dwarshuis who notched up the best figures in the Finals phase of the BBL and ended with a stunning five-wicket haul.

Ben Dwarshuis to Matthew Kuhnemann, OUT! c Steve O'Keefe b Ben Dwarshuis.OUT! CAUGHT! Ben Dwarshuis ends up with a 5-fer and he has picked up the best occasion to do so as he ends up with his career-best figures! Sydney Sixers advance to the Finals! Rolls his fingers on the leather and pitches it wide outside off, Matthew Kuhnemann shuffles across the off stump and ramps it with no real timing on it and it flies straight towards the fine leg where Steve O'Keefe doesn't move an inch and takes an absolute sitter. Sydney Sixers beat the Brisbane Heat by 39 runs and will play the Finals at historic SCG in front of their home crowd.

Ben Dwarshuis to Matthew Kuhnemann, No run.Identical delivery on the stump line, Matthew Kuhnemann looks to ramp it to fine leg but misses out through to the keeper.

Ben Dwarshuis to Matthew Kuhnemann, 2 runs.A slower ball around the middle stump line on a fuller length, Matthew Kuhnemann does not connect it well enough but lofts it over the bowler's head for a brace.

Ben Dwarshuis to Matthew Kuhnemann, No run.Fires on a tad fuller length in front of the sticks, Matthew Kuhnemann shuffles outside leg and swings hard fo go big but misses to connect.

Ben Dwarshuis to Matthew Kuhnemann, No run.A shade short and on the middle stump line which nips into the batter, Matthew Kuhnemann is on his toes and pats it underneath the bat.

Jack Edwards to Mitchell Swepson, Four!FOUR! Having a bit of fun there Mitchell Swepson! Length delivery outside off, Mitchell Swepson premeditates it and shuffles way outside off and ramps it over the vacant fine leg region for a boundary.

Jack Edwards to Mitchell Swepson, Four!FOUR! That's straight as an arrow! Bowls on a fuller length around middle, Mitchell Swepson shuffles outside leg and lofts it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Jack Edwards to Matthew Kuhnemann, 1 run.Fuller and on the pads, Matthew Kuhnemann flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Matthew Kuhnemann is the last man in for Brisbane Heat.

Jack Edwards to Spencer Johnson, OUT! c & b Jack Edwards.OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! That's an absolute stunner by Jack Edwards. Bowls it on a length around off, Spencer Johnson stays leg side of the ball and hits it straight like a tennis forehand to the right of the bowler. Spencer Johnson nonchalantly sticks out a right hand and takes an excellent reflex catch on his follow-through. Nine down now the Heat.

Jack Edwards to Spencer Johnson, Four!FOUR! Johnson is not going home without a fight. Bangs a knuckle ball outside off, Spencer Johnson sways away from the line and flat bats straight over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Jack Edwards to Spencer Johnson, No run.Length ball and outside off, Spencer Johnson swings hard and misses.

Ben Dwarshuis to Spencer Johnson, 1 run.Quick run there. A direct hit would have been curtains for Spencer Johnson. Full and on off, Spencer Johnson pushes it to mid off and shoots for a single, Moises Henriques stationed at mid off picks it up and has a shy at the stumps at the nonstriker's end but misses. A single taken.

Ben Dwarshuis to Spencer Johnson, Four!FOUR! EDGED but the Heat will take it. On a back of a length around the vicinity of off, Spencer Johnson backs away from it to hit cut it and edges it instead. The ball races away to the fence to third man.

Ben Dwarshuis to Mitchell Swepson, 1 run.Pulls his length a bit outside off, Mitchell Swepson hits it towards covers and sprints for a single.

Ben Dwarshuis to Spencer Johnson, 1 run.Full and on leg, Spencer Johnson edges on the drive to the leg side for a single.

Ben Dwarshuis to Mitchell Swepson, 1 run.On a hard length outside off, Mitchell Swepson punches it towards covers for a single.

Mitchell Swepson walks out to bat next.

Ben Dwarshuis to Michael Neser, OUT! b Ben Dwarshuis.OUT! BOWLED'EM! And that sums up the things for the Brisbane Heat! Ben Dwarshuis gets his fourth and the Sixers have been excellent with the ball. Ben Dwarshuis bowls it on a length around off and takes pace off it as well, Michael Neser creates some room for himself to go over the off side but ends up getting an inside edge on his back leg and eventually the bowl breaks into the stumps. Dwarshius gets a big scalp of Michael Neser and the Heat are 8 down and inching closer to defeat.

Ben Dwarshuis (2-0-11-3) is back on.

Hayden Kerr to Michael Neser, 1 run.Drop and run! Hard length over middle and leg, Michael Neser presses on the back foot and bunts it in front of covers for a quick single to retain the strike.

Hayden Kerr to Michael Neser, 2 runs.Good running! Shorter and outside off, Michael Neser cuts it off the back foot and gets it wide of third man before sprinting back for the second run.

Hayden Kerr to Spencer Johnson, 1 run.Banged in shorter and outside off, Spencer Johnson stays on the back foot and lets the ball come on before angling it away past backward point for one.

Spencer Johnson comes out to bat at number 9. Brisbane Heat are really in big trouble here.

Hayden Kerr to Xavier Bartlett, OUT! c Jack Edwards b Hayden Kerr.OUT! CAUGHT! Another catch for Jack Edwards and Sydney Sixers get their 7th wicket. Hayden Kerr comes from around the stumps and serves it into the pitch with pace taken off it. Xavier Bartlett looks to clip it away but ends up closing the bat face early and chipping it off the leading edge towards short mid-wicket. Jack Edwards springs down low to his right and pouches it with both hands.

Hayden Kerr to Michael Neser, 1 run.Back of a length and outside off, dabbed off the back foot past the point region for a single.

Hayden Kerr to Michael Neser, No run.Short of a length and around off, Michael Neser pulls it straight to mid-wicket.

Xavier Bartlett comes out to bat at number 8.

Steve O'Keefe to Max Bryant, OUT! c Jack Edwards b Steve O'Keefe.OUT! CAUGHT! Steve O'Keefe gets the wide one right and sends Max Bryant packing. Slows it right up and floats it well outside off, like dangling a carrot in front of a rabbit. Bryant is forced into going after it but has to really reach out. Bryant gets under it but ends up just lifting it high and wide of long off where Jack Edwards takes a nice catch. Brisbane Heat lose their last proper batter.

Steve O'Keefe to Max Bryant, Wide!WIDE! Tossed up full and wide of the off stump again and it will be another wide.

Steve O'Keefe to Michael Neser, 1 run.Full and quick outside off, driven along the ground by Michael Neser to long off for a run.

Steve O'Keefe to Max Bryant, 1 run.On the shorter side and outside off, Max Bryant plays it off the back foot through the gap at covers and settles for the single.

Steve O'Keefe to Max Bryant, Wide!WIDE! Fired in flat and quick but well outside the off stump, left alone for a wide.

Steve O'Keefe to Max Bryant, Six!SIX! Clean strike! Not all that short from Steve O'Keefe but Max Bryant uses the depth of his crease brilliantly and muscles the pull well over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Steve O'Keefe to Michael Neser, 1 run.Short again, worked off the back foot through mid-wicket for one more.

Steve O'Keefe to Max Bryant, 1 run.Slower and shorter, moving away from off, Max Bryant wrists it past square leg for a single.

Steve O'Keefe is brought back into the attack.

Ben Dwarshuis to Michael Neser, No run.Oh, that stayed low! Pitched up a bit around off stump, Michael Neser looks to play at it but is beaten by the lack of bounce. Sydney Sixers pick up 2 for 18 in the Surge and firm their grip on the game.

Ben Dwarshuis to Michael Neser, No run.No hat-trick! Hard length around the top of off stump, Michael Neser gets across well and covers the line before blocking it out solidly.

Michael Neser comes out to the middle at number 7 and will face the Hat-Trick Ball.

Ben Dwarshuis to Paul Walter, OUT! c Steve O'Keefe b Ben Dwarshuis.OUT! CAUGHT! Two in two for Ben Dwarshuis and he is pumped up. On a hard length in the channel with pace on it and Ben gets this one to bounce a bit extra off the deck. Paul Walter gets squared up a touch and jars at it with hard hands. The ball takes the higher part of the bat and gets edged towards short third where Steve O'Keefe takes an easy catch. Brisbane Heat going down in the Surge.

Paul Walter is the new man in for the Heat at number 6.

Ben Dwarshuis to Matt Renshaw, OUT! c Jack Edwards b Ben Dwarshuis.OUT! CAUGHT! Ben Dwarshuis comes roaring back and sends the dangerman back to the hut. Dwarshius takes pace off this time and bowls it a bit into the surface on middle and leg. Matt Renshaw looks to work this one away leg side but the ball sticks in the deck and takes the leading edge. The ball gets lobbed up over covers where Jack Edwards takes a few steps back and completes a simple catch.

Ben Dwarshuis to Matt Renshaw, Six!SIX! Wow, that is some shot! Ben Dwarshuis bangs it in again at a good pace and over the stumps, the ball climbs onto the batter but Renshaw uses his height well, gets on top of the bounce and hooks it well over deep square leg for a biggie.

Ben Dwarshuis to Max Bryant, 1 run.Pace-off and dug in well short outside off, Max Bryant has to really reach for it and mistimes the pull in front of mid-wicket for a single.

It will be Ben Dwarshuis to bowl the second of the Power Surge.

Sean Abbott to Matt Renshaw, 2 runs.Back of a length over off stump and angling across, Matt Renshaw hangs back and mistimes the pull over mid-wicket for a couple of runs. 11 off the first over of the Surge, still not good enough.

Sean Abbott to Matt Renshaw, Six!SIX! All the way from Matt Renshaw! A fraction short and on leg stump, Renshaw gets inside the line a bit and flicks it well over the fine leg fence for a biggie. A first boundary for the Heat since the sixth over and they need a lot more of these.

Sean Abbott to Max Bryant, 1 run.Should have been put away! Length ball on the pads, Max Bryant gets inside the line but helps it straight to the man at short fine leg for one.

Sean Abbott to Matt Renshaw, 1 run.Hard length again outside off, Matt Renshaw stands tall and slaps it away to deep point for just a single.

Sean Abbott to Matt Renshaw, No run.An absolute ripper from Sean Abbott and Matt Renshaw is left bamboozled. Serves it on a hard length on middle and leg stump and this one seams away a long way after pitching, completely squaring up Renshaw and beats him on the outside edge.

Sean Abbott to Max Bryant, 1 run.Short of a length and bowled over middle, Max Bryant picks the length well but muscles it straight towards the man at deep mid-wicket for a single.

Brisbane Heat have taken the Power Surge and it will be Sean Abbott to bowl the first over of the Surge. Only two fielders can patrol outside of the 30-yard circle for the phase of next two overs. Can the Heat get enough proportion of it?

Jack Edwards to Max Bryant, 1 run.Hard length in the channel, Max Bryant looks to block but gets an outside edge that runs down to third man for a single.

Jack Edwards to Max Bryant, No run.Good length on the stumps and angled in, Max Bryant misses the flick due to the extra bounce and gets hit high on the pads.

Max Bryant comes out to the middle.

Brisbane Heat need a big performance from somewhere.

Jack Edwards to Nathan McSweeney, OUT! b Jack Edwards.OUT! TIMBER! A big inside edge and Jack Edwards sends the Heat skipper packing. Edwards pitches this one up on a three-quarter length and in the channel getting it to jag back in a bit. Nathan McSweeney gets on the front foot to play an expansive cover drive but gets a big inside edge and the ball goes back on to smash into the stumps. Nathan McSweeney departs cheaply as well and Edwards is delighted.

Jack Edwards to Nathan McSweeney, No run.Nice and full on middle and leg, Nathan McSweeney flicks it straight to mid-wicket.

Jack Edwards to Nathan McSweeney, 2 runs.Just wide of mid-wicket! A fraction fuller and around middle, bouncing a bit extra off the deck, Nathan McSweeney looks to flick but gets it off the leading edge and the ball goes uppishly and well to the right of Hayden Kerr at mid-wicket. The batters pick up a brace.

Jack Edwards to Matt Renshaw, Leg bye.Leg bye! Starts the new spell with a full delivery on the pads, Matt Renshaw fails to flick it away and gets it off the pads towards fine leg. They get a leg bye.

Drinks break! Right then, at the halfway stage of the chase, Sydney Sixers are in complete command and Brisbane Heat need 102 more runs in just 10 overs which is a daunting task on this wicket. The Heat do have the Surge up the sleeve but will have to use it to perfection to make a comeback here. They do have power hitters to come but for now, the Sixers are the favorites and a few more tight overs should do the job for them. The conditions are hot and humid but there's no dew and the air seems to have been sucked by the storm brewing in the West which is making it even harder for the batters. Also, Jack Edwards comes into the attack.

Todd Murphy to Nathan McSweeney, No run.Over the wicket and drops an off-break providing some air to the ball on middle, Nathan McSweeney pushes it back to the bowler to end the over. This is an excellent little phase for the Sixers as they haven't let the Heat to cut lose.

Todd Murphy to Matt Renshaw, 1 run.Tosses up and pitches it outside off, Matt Renshaw drives it along the ground towards long off and gets off the mark with a single.

Todd Murphy to Matt Renshaw, No run.Just short! Darts it on the middle stump line and full, Matt Renshaw gets beaten by the pace and hits it straight towards Murphy and it falls just short ahead of him.

Todd Murphy to Nathan McSweeney, 1 run.Drags his length a bit now and around leg, Nathan McSweeney tucks it towards square leg advancing down the pitch for a single.

Todd Murphy to Nathan McSweeney, No run.On a length and in front of the sticks, Nathan McSweeney defends it straight underneath his bat.

Todd Murphy to Nathan McSweeney, No run.Starts off from over the wicket and bowls it too full and outside off, Nathan McSweeney reverse sweeps it towards short third.

Hayden Kerr to Matt Renshaw, No run.Bowls on a hard length with a hint of outswing from off, Matt Renshaw hangs back and pats it underneath the bat. Another successful over for the Sydney Sixers comes to an end as they got rid of Jimmy Peirson.

Matt Renshaw is the new man in.

Hayden Kerr to Jimmy Peirson, OUT! c Josh Philippe b Hayden Kerr.OUT! CAUGHT! That's a brilliant catch by Josh Philippe as the ball was up in the air for a fair bit of time. Bowls on a length around off, Jimmy Peirson looks to hit it across the line to the leg side and ends up getting the leading edge which balloons up in the air somewhere in front of the third man region. Josh Philippe makes his call for the catch and settles himself under it and grabs the swirling ball eventually. Jimmy Peirson perishes and Brisbane Heat are in a bit of a pickle here.

Hayden Kerr to Nathan McSweeney, 1 run.On a nagging length around leg, Nathan McSweeney clips it to fine leg for a single.

Hayden Kerr to Nathan McSweeney, No run.Back of a length and on the stumps, Nathan McSweeney mistimes the pull to mid-wicket.

Hayden Kerr to Nathan McSweeney, Four!FOUR! Beautiful hands from Nathan McSweeney and picks up the gap! Bowls it outside off and on a hard length, Nathan McSweeney waits for it and cuts it past backward point for a boundary. The third man fielder had no chance to stop that one.

Hayden Kerr to Jimmy Peirson, 1 run.On a hard length and on leg, Jimmy Peirson shimmies down the wicket to go over the leg side but inside edges that one towards mid-wicket and sprints a single.

Hayden Kerr (1-0-7-0) is back into the attack.

Steve O'Keefe to Jimmy Peirson, 1 run.Another economical over from Steve O'Keefe, just 5 from it. This is on shorter length and spinning away sharply outside off, Jimmy Peirson cuts it to sweeper covers for a single.

Steve O'Keefe to Nathan McSweeney, 1 run.Short and on leg, Nathan McSweeney nudges it to the leg side for an easy single.

Steve O'Keefe to Jimmy Peirson, 1 run.Tosses it up and drops it fuller and outside of off, Jimmy Peirson steers it against the spin towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Steve O'Keefe to Jimmy Peirson, No run.Employs the reverse sweep on a slower delivery around off stump, Jimmy Peirson misses to connect that one and gets hit on the body.

Steve O'Keefe to Nathan McSweeney, 1 run.Nicely tossed up delivery around off and full, Nathan McSweeney leans ahead and plays it with the spin towards extra covers for a single.

Steve O'Keefe to Jimmy Peirson, 1 run.Drops it on a tad fuller length and gives it air on the stump line, Jimmy Peirson backs away and cuts it towards backward point for a single.

Ben Dwarshuis to Jimmy Peirson, 1 run.Short and outside off, Jimmy Peirson guides it towards third man for a single to end the over. A successful over this for the Sydney Sixers as Ben Dwarshuis got the better of Josh Brown.

Ben Dwarshuis to Nathan McSweeney, 1 run.Outside off and on a tad full length, Nathan McSweeney prods ahead to drive it through covers but takes the inside edge towards deep square for a single.

Nathan McSweeney, the skipper walks in at number 3.

Ben Dwarshuis to Josh Brown, OUT! c Josh Philippe b Ben Dwarshuis.OUT! CAUGHT! Ben Dwarshuis provides the breakthrough and Josh Brown is scratching his head. Dwarshuis bends his back and digs in a bumper outside off, Josh Brown hurries to pull but ends up getting the outside edge which flies straight into the gloves of the keeper Josh Philippe who makes no mistake grabbing it. A difficult stay for Josh Brown comes to an end and thius could be a blessing in disguise for the Heat.

Ben Dwarshuis to Jimmy Peirson, 1 run.Nips away after pitching on middle on a shorter length, Jimmy Peirson hangs back and upper cuts it towards third man on a single bounce for one.

Ben Dwarshuis to Jimmy Peirson, No run.Shorter a bit in length and on leg, Jimmy Peirson attempts to go big but gets cramped up and wears on his body.

Ben Dwarshuis to Josh Brown, 1 run.On a nagging length around the leg stump line, Josh Brown heaves it with the inside half of the blade towards long leg for a single.

Ben Dwarshuis now comes on to bowl.

Steve O'Keefe to Josh Brown, 1 run.Slower and outside off, Josh Brown hits it towards extra cover for a single off the back foot to end the over. An economical over there.

Steve O'Keefe to Josh Brown, 2 runs.An arm ball out of his bag and on a shorter length outside off, Josh Brown cuts it past backward point for a brace.

Steve O'Keefe to Jimmy Peirson, 1 run.Short and on the stumps, Jimmy Peirson mistimes the pull to the right of long on for a single.

Steve O'Keefe to Jimmy Peirson, No run.Turning away sharply outside off on a tad short length, Jimmy Peirson hangs back and cuts it straight to backward point.