Sydney Sixers blast to important win over Melbourne Renegades

The Sydney Sixers ensured themselves an enjoyable Christmas break in the Big Bash League after they ran down the Melbourne Renegades to win a high-scoring thriller at Etihad Stadium.

Set 173 to win, a 101-run partnership between captain Moises Henriques and opener Michael Lumb turned the match on its head after it looked as though the Renegades were cruising to a comfortable win at the half- way mark of their run chase.

It was a new record stand for the third wicket for the Sixers, eclipsing the previous best of 83 between Brad Haddin and Steve Smith against the Sydney Thunder back in BBL02.

Lumb smashed 63 from 35 balls with five sixes – including three off one Xavier Doherty over – while Henriques made 62 from 38 balls to lift the Sixers to an important three-wicket win.

But when both were dismissed, the Sixers almost snatched defeat from the jaws of victory as they lost 4-12 to give the Renegades a glimmer of hope of pulling off a remarkable win.

But the crowd of 20,850 were left disappointed when Trent Lawford hit the winning runs with seven balls to spare.

Lumb and Henriques’ partnership came in just under 10 overs as they savaged the Renegades attack. Only Nathan Rimmington (4-26 off four overs) was spared from the carnage.

Earlier, after being sent into bat by Henriques, the highlight of the Renegades innings of 4-172 was an unbeaten partnership of 78 from just 40 balls for the fifth wicket between Dwayne Bravo and Tom Beaton.

Bravo hit three boundaries and two sixes in his 45 not out from 29 balls while Beaton finished 41 not out from just 23 balls.

It was also a new record stand for the fifth wicket for the Melbourne side.

Bravo’s fellow West Indian Chris Gayle looked in ominous touch earlier in the night, smashing three sixes in his knock of 46 from 33 balls before he holed out on the boundary off the bowling of spinner Johan Botha in the 11th over.