Wessels hit five boundaries and two sixes during his knock of 50

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Sydney Sixers batsman Riki Wessels smashed a half-century to help his side prevail over the Sydney Thunder in the highly anticipated Sydney derby.

However, Thunder batsman Aiden Blizzard deserves a lot of credit for his valiant knock of 80.

Thunder captain Michael Hussey would have been pleased with his decision to bowl first after Sixers opener Nic Maddinson was caught by Pat Cummins at fine leg off the bowling of Dirk Nannes for 12.

Michael Lumb managed to make 27 runs before he was caught by Daniel Hughes at square leg off the bowling of Nannes.

Wessels and Sixers skipper Moises Henriques stabilised the innings with a 51-run partnership before Henriques was caught by Andrew McDonald at long-on off the bowling of Nathan Hauritz for 18.

Wessels went on to score 50 off 33 balls, which included five boundaries and two sixes, before he was caught by Gurinder Sandhu at long-off off the bowling of Hauritz.

Ryan Carters made a quickfire 21 before he was clean bowled by Sandhu.

Sean Abbott only made two runs before he was caught by Sandhu off the bowling of Cummins.

Jordan Silk mustered 23 runs before he was cleaned up by Sandhu.

Thanks to Wessels, the Sixers finished on 180/7 off their 20 overs.

Sandhu, Nannes and Hauritz picked up two wickets apiece, while Cummins chipped in with one.

Chasing 181 to win, the Thunder got off to a poor start as Jacques Kallis was clean bowled by Mitchell Starc for three runs.

Hussey failed to have an impact with the bat as he was caught by Maddinson at deep square leg off the bowling of Brett Lee for 17.

McDonald fared no better as he was caught by Luke Doran at fine leg off the bowling of Abbott for 18.

England ODI captain Eoin Morgan scored six runs before he was caught by Lee at mid-off off the bowling of Abbott.

Even though Hughes and Blizzard put together an 85-run partnership, during which Blizzard registered his half-century, the Thunder ended up falling 16 runs short of their target.

Blizzard ended up making an unbeaten 80, which came off 42 balls, which included six boundaries and four sixes.

Blizzard’s entertaining knock of 80 went in vain

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Abbott was the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Lee and Starc claimed one wicket each.

Despite being on the losing side, Blizzard edged out Wessels for the Man of the Match award.