3 minute read
The Sydney Sixers remain on top of the BBL table despite suffering one of the worst losses in their history at the hands of the Perth Scorchers.
Sydney Sixers coach Greg Shipperd says his team received a "kick in the pants" after producing one of their worst-ever batting displays in an embarrassing 86-run BBL loss to the Perth Scorchers.
Allrounder Mitch Marsh cracked an unbeaten 57 off 27 balls while Colin Munro added 50 off 34 balls as the Scorchers reached 4-183 in front of 21,608 fans at Optus Stadium on Wednesday.
In reply, the Sixers slumped to 6-58 as three of their top six batsmen fell for ducks, before eventually being bowled out for 97 off 16.4 overs - their third lowest total.
The 74 they scored against the Stars in 2019 and the 76 against the Thunder last year were the only other lower totals in their history.
"The one positive of all of this is we remain on top of the table," Shipperd said.
"We have played some good cricket to earn that position, but this will be a kick in the pants for us.
"We have had some terrific batting performances across the tournament. We'll put this one in the bin pretty quickly. We'll acknowledge that we weren't up to standard tonight."
Marsh snared the key scalp of Jordan Silk for a golden duck, while James Vince and Dan Christian also failed to score as the top-six crumbled.
Opener Josh Philippe made just five before edging Jason Behrendorff to Marsh at slip, with Jack Edwards (44 off 38 balls) the only Sixer to make a score of note.
Scorchers paceman AJ Tye finished with figures of 4-20 off 3.4 overs in a stunning display, while Jhye Richardson (3-15 off four) was at his destructive best.
The Scorchers also snared the bonus point after the Sixers posted 6-58 from their first 10 overs in comparison to Perth's 1-71.
Perth's third win on the trot means they are just two points adrift of the fifth-placed Melbourne Stars.
The Sixers (5-3) remain in top spot, but the Sydney Thunder are just two points adrift.
Any hope of a Sixers victory was snuffed out before the 10-over mark of their innings as the top-order crumbled.
Philippe and Vince were the first to go but the real damage came after the Sixers reached 2-44, with the defending champions losing 4-14 from the next four overs.
The Sixers needed to use their X-factor substitution at the 10-over mark of Perth's innings after paceman Ben Dwarshuis (0-12) injured his groin during his one and only over.
Legspinner Lloyd Pope was brought into the game as the X-factor and finished with 2-13 from his two overs in a strong display.
