MELBOURNE, Australia, CMC – Dwayne Bravo was a bust again in his final Big Bash League match before returning home for the Caribbean Twenty20.
The Trinidad & Tobago and West Indies all-rounder made just seven and failed to take a wicket in two costly overs, as the Sydney Sixers slumped to their second defeat in the Australian domestic T20 tournament, losing to the Melbourne Renegades by eight wickets yesterday.
Bravo again opened the batting after the Sixers chose to bat at Docklands Stadium, but he was bowled by Australia left-arm fast bowler Dirk Nannes in the second over, as the visitors reached 161 for six from their allocation of 20 overs.
Moises Henriques led the way for the Sixers with 41 from 30 balls, Nic Maddinson scored 29, and England import Michael Lumb and Australia leg-spin all-rounder Steve Smith, the Sixers’ captain, both hit 25.
Nannes and Shane Harwood collected two scalps apiece for the Renegades.
The home team then reached their target with 14 balls remaining, following an unbroken, 124-run, third-wicket stand between Australia internationals Brad Hodge and Andrew McDonald.
Hodge struck five fours and three sixes in the top score of an unbeaten 72 from 51 balls, and McDonald smote an incredible seven sixes in 60 not out from just 37 balls.
Bravo’s two overs cost 12 runs. McDonald drove him inside-out over cover for his third six in the medium-fast bowler’s first over, the 13th of the innings.
The result meant that Melbourne now have four points – the same as the Sydney Thunder, Perth Scorchers and the Sixers – but they are fourth just ahead of Bravo’s side with a better net run rate.
Bravo leaves this week to return home to be part of the T&T side that will try to regain the CT20 title when the tournament opens this coming Monday in Antigua.
Scores: SYDNEY SIXERS 161 for six off 20 overs (Moises Henriques 41, Nic Maddinson 29, Michael Lumb 25, Steve Smith 25; Shane Harwood 2-28, Dirk Nannes 2-36)
MELBOURNE RENEGADES 164 for two off 17.4 overs (Brad Hodge 72 not out, Andrew McDonald 60 not out, Aaron Finch 25)
