The Sydney Sixers have defeated the Highveld Lions by 10 wickets to claim the T20 Champions League tournament in Johannesburg. It’s been a big couple of months for Aussies T20 cricketers. In a form of the game which we’ve previously struggled, the national T20 squad made the World Cup final, and the Sydney Sixers remained undefeated on their way to claiming the $US2.5 million ($A2.43 million) prize.
Josh Hazlewood grabs another wicket
After winning the toss, captain Brad Haddin elected to bowl, strangling Highveld out of the contest from the get-go after unconventionally opening the bowling with spinners Nathan McCullum and Steve O’Keefe. A first over wicket for McCullum set the tone with the Lion’s attempt to hit themselves out of trouble resulting in a steady flow of wickets. Josh Hazlewood reinforced his national-star-in-waiting tag claiming 3/21 off his 4 overs as the Lions slumped to all out for 121. Afforded a slow start, the Sixers soon hit for the fences with Johannesburg-born English opener Michael Lumb dominating the Lions attack smashing 82 not out (off 42 balls) as the Sixers cruised to a 10 wicket victory with 7.3 overs to spare.
Brad Haddin celebrates a sweet (lucrative) victory
As our attention turns to the upcoming test series against South Africa, Aussie fans will be hoping T20 form translates to the test arena. Mitchell Stark is primed for a bumper season after claiming the Golden Wicket and Player of the Tournament with 14 dismissals and Shane Watson continuing his blistering World Cup form before he was sent home to rest up before the grueling summer ahead.
Pictures by Gallo Images and Stephane De Sakutin for Getty Images
