The Sydney Thunder BBL campaign ended as the Sydney Sixers overcame Steven Smith’s first-ball duck to remain on course for second place. The Sixers made a winning middling score with a superb display of bowling sparked by Steve O’Keefe’s double wicket first over. At 44 for 0 after the powerplay, Thunder were on track chasing 152, but struggled on a tricky surface. Warner finished with 37 off 39 after starting strong at 15 off 7. The Sixers’ seamers used changes of pace effectively, and O’Keefe claimed his third wicket when Warner tried to clear the rope. Warner and Smith had contrasting build-ups to the game, with Warner helicoptering into the SCG from his brother’s wedding and Smith playing tennis with Novak Djokovic. There was a sense of disappointment when Smith top-edged his first-ball pull, but his previous performances had been strong. James Vince and Josh Philippe built steadily for Sixers, with Vince falling to a delivery that kept low from debutant legspinner Toby Gray. Jordan Silk and Ben Dwarshuis helped the Sixers break the 150 mark, securing a victory.
