Henriques was named Man of the Match for his unbeaten 76

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

The Sydney Sixers got their Big Bash League (BBL) campaign off to a perfect start as captain Moises Henriques led by example, scoring an unbeaten 76 to lead his side to a nine-wicket win over their crosstown rivals, the Sydney Thunder.

While Henriques stole the spotlight with his blitz, opening batsman Daniel Hughes deserves a lot of credit too as he made an unbeaten 54.

Choosing to field first due to the overcast conditions, the Sixers got an early breakthrough as Thunder opener Kurtis Patterson was dismissed by Steve O’Keefe for just eight runs.

Ryan Gibson and England limited overs captain Eoin Morgan made up for the early loss of Patterson with a 55-run partnership before Morgan was caught behind off the bowling of Johan Botha for 26.

Morgan’s dismissal sparked a major collapse as they Thunder went from 71/2 to being reduced to 86/6 in the 12th over.

Despite their middle order completely failing to have an impact, Gibson and Pat Cummins fought valiantly and put together a 41-run stand, during which Gibson surpassed his fifty. However, not long after, he was caught by Sam Billings at midwicket off the bowling of Ben Dwarshuis for 53, which came off 43 balls and included six boundaries.

Gibson’s knock of 53 went in vain

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Cummins went on to make a quickfire 30, while a handy 14 not out from Clint McKay saw the Thunder finish on 159/8 off their 20 overs.

Dwarshuis, Joe Mennie and Doug Bollinger picked up two wickets apiece, while O’Keefe and Botha chipped in with one wicket each.

Chasing 160 to win, the Sixers got off to a brisk start before opening batsman Jason Roy was caught by Cummins off the bowling of Andre Russell for 27.

That was the last taste of success the Thunder would have for the remainder of the match as Henriques and Hughes finished things off with an unbeaten 115-run partnership, during which both batsmen brought up their half-centuries.

Henriques ended up making 76 off 41 balls, which included seven boundaries and four sixes, while Hughes remained undefeated on 54 off 49 deliveries, which included five boundaries and a six.

Hughes struck five boundaries and a six during his knock of 54 not out

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Russell was the only bowler to take a wicket.

Henriques was named Man of the Match for his brilliant innings.