SCO VS SIX MATCH 39

Right then, that's all we have from this game which ebbed and flowed throughout but it were the Sydney Sixers who got the win. The matchups have now been locked in for the 2024 Big Bash League finals. First up, it will be the Qualifier, where Brisbane Heat will lock horns with Sydney Sixers for a place in the final. It will be followed by the Knockout, which will see the Perth Scorchers go up against the Adelaide Strikers, with the winner going through to play the loser of the Qualifier in the Challenger for the second finalist spot. We still have a game left in the league stage before the finals action kicks off in the 2024 Big Bash League. On Wednesday, the 17th of January, the Sydney Thunder will play the Melbourne Renegades, where both teams will look to end their season on a high. The game will begin at 1.45 pm IST (8.15 am GMT), but as always, you can join us early for the build-up. Till then, take care and goodbye!

Daniel Hughes is the Player of the Match for his excellent knock of 74 runs from 43 balls. He says that it was an amazing game. Says that almost 400 runs were scored in the entire game and the knock from their skipper was really nice. Adds that it was a good experience and ends by saying that a difficult challenge waits ahead and they are all pumped up.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, after opting to bat first, the Perth Scorchers were off to a shaky start in their batting effort. Sam Whiteman was the first to depart while Stephen Eskinazi copped a blow on his hand and had to retire hurt. Josh Inglis joined hands with skipper Aaron Hardie to forge a recovery but the former failed to convert his start. Playing in his final game of the season for the Perth Scorchers, Laurie Evans completely changed the complexion of the game with his clean ball striking. He found good support from Hardie and his 74-run knock helped the Scorchers get their innings on track. Thanks to Cooper Connolly's quickfire cameo, the Scorchers were able to get to 194. For the Sydney Sixers, Ben Dwarshuis was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4 for 23 from his four overs.

Perth Scorchers were the happier side at the halfway mark and would have fancied themselves to defend the total. However, it did not go according to the plan for them as they conceded 47 runs in the Powerplay, the most they have conceded in this season. Due to that start with the ball, the Scorchers were left scrambling for wickets in the middle phase but could not pick up wickets at regular intervals to stem the flow of runs. Even though they did manage to dismiss Daniel Hughes, the Sixers were ahead in the game at that stage. Aaron Hardie rotated his bowlers well but just could not manage to string in quiet overs. To their credit, they fought till the end but it wasn't to be for the defending champions.

Having never chased 198 ever before in their Big Bash League history, the Sydney Sixers had their backs against the wall at the halfway mark. Daniel Hughes took the initiative and provided the Sixers with a breezy start. James Vince played his part too during his short stay. After Vince fell, Hughes carried on and kept finding boundaries at will. Coming in at number 3, Josh Phillipe got himself in but could not convert his start. Hughes got out on 74 but at the stage, the Sixers had their noses in front. Moises Henriques made his way out to the centre and made sure that the Sixers did not lose their way in the chase as he continued to keep the required run rate under control. With 17 runs needed off the last two overs, the Sixers had the chase under control but a couple of brain fade moments in the next few balls meant that the pressure was back on them. But Henriques kept his calm in the final over and sealed the win for his side.

WOW, WHAT A GAME AT THE FURNACE! MOISES HENRIQUES HAS DONE IT FOR THE SYDNEY SIXERS! With a top-two finish on the line, the stakes were at an all-time high and this game delivered and how. The Sixers have successfully pulled off their highest run chase in their Big Bash League history to seal a top-two finish in the 2024 Big Bash League. As a result, the Sixers have set up a date with the Brisbane Heat in the Qualifier where, even if they lose, they will get a second chance to make it to the summit clash. On the other hand, Perth Scorchers will be disappointed to finish outside the top two and will end the league stage in the third spot. The Scorchers will take on the Adelaide Strikers in the Knockout, with the loser bowing out of the tournament.

FOUR! Moises Henriques wins it for the Sydney Sixers! Lands it short and outside off, Moises Henriques picks it well and steers it over backward point for a boundary. What a win! Sydney Sixers beat Perth Scorchers by 3 wickets!

TWO! On a length and outside off, Moises Henriques looks to pull it but miscues it to deep cover for a brace. The umpire checks for a possible run out but Sean Abbott's dive had him well in. SCORES ARE LEVEL NOW!

SIX! It's a massive blow! What a shot, what a moment! On a length and on off, Moises Henriques picks it well and powers it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie! 3 needed of 2 now!

Two! A low full toss, Moises Henriques knocks it to long on for a brace. Excellent running between the wickets. 9 needed of 3 now! What a contest!

Lands it on off, Sean Abbott slaps it to mid off for one.

OUT! RUN OUT! Ben Dwarshuis what have you done? Lands it outside off, Ben Dwarshuis looks to loft it but misses as the ball goes into the gloves of Josh Inglis. He makes a direct hit as Ben Dwarshuis was off his crease! 12 needed off 5 now. This could still go either way!

Wide! Lands it way outside off, Ben Dwarshuis offers no stroke.

It's all happening at the Perth Stadium! Three wickets in the penultimate over has turned the match on its head. Ben Dwarshuis comes out to bat now and will be on strike at the start of the final over. Sydney Sixers need 13 runs off the final over and it will be bowled by the skipper of the Perth Scorchers, Aaron Hardie. Who are you rooting for here?

OUT! RUN OUT! It's all happening here in Perth! On a length and on off, Hayden Kerr lofts it to deep covers and runs two. Goes for the third run which never existed. Aaron Hardie collects the ball and throws it to Jason Behrendorff at the bowlers end who makes no mistake.

DOT! This is excellent bowling stuff from Jason Behrendorff! Off-pace and on off, Hayden Kerr looks to slap it but mistimes it back towards the bowler.