The 2020-21 season of the Big Bash League came to a conclusion on Saturday with the Sydney Sixers beating the Perth Scorchers by 27 runs in the final.
As a result, the Sixers defended their title successfully, which they had won last year beating Melbourne Stars in the final. Overall, this is their third BBL title with the first one coming in the inaugural season in 2013.
James Vince – The Star Overseas Recruit
James Vince was the star of the match as he smashed 95 off just 60 deliveries to power the Sixers to a commanding total of 188/6. This was his second consecutive score of 90 or more runs in this season. He had scored an unbeaten 98 off 53 deliveries to power his team to a nine-wicket win in the first qualifier, which was against the Scorchers once again.
These knocks helped him to finish as the highest run-getter for the Sixers and the second-highest scorer in this BBL season. Vince amassed 537 runs in this edition, at an excellent average of 38.35. His runs came at an impressive strike-rate of 143.58 and included four fifties as well. Only Alex Hales (546) of Sydney Thunder scored more runs than Vince in this edition of the tournament.
“I’ve enjoyed my time here, and lucky to be getting the award tonight, but I can’t speak highly enough of the franchise. Outstanding,” Vince, who was adjudged the Player of the match, said at the post-match presentation.
“I’m happy to have made the contributions, but I couldn’t have done it without the guys who have done it throughout the competition, so I wouldn’t have had the platform without them. Even the backroom staff have been outstanding throughout the tournament, so I’m very grateful to the whole contingent,” he added.
Josh Philippe – The Young Gun
The wicket-keeper batsman played a vital role in the Sixers’ title win last season as he had finished as their highest run-getter with 487 runs to his name. The 23-year-old took his performances a notch higher in this season as he ended it with a total of 508 runs to his name, at an average of 31.75.
He got dismissed quite cheaply for a score of 9 in the final, but he had delivered consistently at the top of the order throughout the season. That’s why he was adjudged the Player of the Tournament as well.
“Can’t speak highly enough of the boys. They have been outstanding. Vinny (Vince), the last two games, unbelievable. We have been lucky in the last few years to have really good overseas players,” an elated Philippe said.
“Hopefully they hang around and do well for us. It’s (New Zealand tour) exciting, looking forward to getting over there. Fingers crossed, there might be an opportunity there,” he added.
Daniel Christian — The all-round star
Sydney Sixers acquired the services of a 37 years old Daniel Christian from Melbourne Renegades ahead of the season. With Tom Curran — their star all-rounder from last season — opting out of this edition, Christian’s addition to the squad became pretty important. And his inclusion paid rich dividends for the Sixers as he delivered with both bat and ball.
Batting in the lower middle-order, Christian amassed 272 runs at an average of 34 and a strike-rate of 182.55. He picked up 15 wickets with his bowling and thus gave his team many crucial breakthroughs.
The veteran all-rounder looked very happy after winning the title, “Surreal, pretty awesome season. We played so well all the way through. To top it off with a win like that against these guys, just well deserved for everyone.”
Even though he is 37 years old right now, he confirmed that he has no plan of hanging his boots anytime soon.
“Such a massive crowd right behind us the whole way, played all around the country and to get one back at home, it was awesome. I’ll keep hanging around as long as we win.”
Source: Twitter (ICC)
Ben Dwarshuis – The Strike-Weapon
The left-arm seamer registered superb figures of 3/37 on the night of the final. It included the Important wickets of Josh Inglis and Mitchell Marsh in the power surge and that sums up how crucial his role was in this win. Overall, he finished the season as the second-highest wicket-taker.
Dwarshuis registered 24 wickets at a sensational strike-rate of 11.3. He picked up wickets with the new ball almost regularly and gave his team important breakthroughs in the middle-overs as well.
Better Luck Next Time, Scorchers!
As far as things for the Perth Scorchers go, they looked like the better side every time they took the field against the Sixers. They proved themselves to be one even when they bowled the Sixers out for a total of 97 in their first meeting of the season. However, they went on to lose each of their next three meetings. The Sixers somehow found the winning formula and it was clearly due to the improvement of their batting form.
Some of the Scorchers players who deserve recognition for their performances are Jhye Richardson, Colin Munro, Josh Inglis, and Liam Livingstone.
Richardson was sensational with his bowling performances. He finished the season as the highest wicket-taker with 29 wickets to his name at an average of 16.31. He registered two four-wicket hauls in the season as well. Even though he turned out to be a bit expensive on the night of the final, he gave a glimpse of his wicket-taking ability once again as he picked up two wickets.
The likes of Livingstone, Munro, and Inglis were ruthless batsmen as well. Each of them amassed more than 400 runs during the season and took down bowlers for fun. But they just couldn’t turn up with their best to cross the final hurdle.
Brief Scores
Sydney Sixers 188/6 (James Vince 95, Dan Christian 20; Andrew Tye 2/29, Jhye Richardson 2/45) beat Perth Scorchers 161/9 (Liam Livingstone 45, Cameron Bancroft 30; Ben Dwarshuis 3/37, Jackson Bird 2/14) by 27 runs