Bragging rights well and truly belong to the Sixers after a stunning second-wicket partnership and a career-best night with the ball powered them to a comprehensive 47-run victory over bitter rivals the Thunder in a heated Sydney Smash.
The teams traded barbs throughout the week but it was the Sixers who let their cricket do the talking as Josh Philippe and Babar Azam piled on the runs to help them post 5-198 as the men in magenta snapped their losing streak.
Watch Thunder battle the Sixers in the Sydney Derby SUN DEC 20 LIVE on FOX CRICKET, available on Kayo Sports. | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
MATCH CENTRE: Thunder vs Sixers scorecard, teams, stats
Back-to-back losses to start the campaign had some wondering if the most consistent team in BBL history could finally be faltering, but the local derby fired them into action and made up for last year’s heartbreaking finals defeat.
MAGENTA MAGIC
The Sixers weren’t happy when they walked into the away sheds last year to see posters of Thunder players getting them out.
But they can now have some fun of their own when they meet again in a few weeks thanks to their two main men with the bat.
It took a controversial catch to deny Philippe a maiden BBL century as he and high-profile recruit Azam combined for a 140-run partnership for the second wicket.
Azam had scored just 11 runs in his first two innings but roared back to form with a clinical 58 off 42, but he was the support act for Philippe who continued his hot start to the season on a sizzling night in Sydney.
Having moved down to first drop so he could face more spin, Philippe took advantage of the match-ups to blast 96 off 57 deliveries.
He looked set to reach his first BBL century but was sent packing in the final over when he cracked a shot to Daniel Sams who just got his fingers under the ball after a close inspection from the third umpire.
An incredible bit of fielding earlier in the innings by Sam Konstas denied Philippe a six which would have given him the four extra runs he needed to reach triple digits.
Konstas goes full stretch for EPIC save | 00:38
THUNDERSTRUCK
A sold-out crowd featuring former Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen was hoping to see the second epic run chase in as many nights, but any thoughts of victory were extinguished within three overs.
Matthew Gilkes whacked three boundaries in a row in the opening over but was then stumped, before Konstas and David Warner were both caught in the deep off Jack Edwards’ bowling.
Having missed his side’s opening game of the tournament, Warner slid back to No.3 where he survived a close LBW shout before he eventually picked out Todd Murphy on the rope.
Sam Billings gave them a sniff when he raced to his half-century off just 26 balls with his fourth six of the night, but he departed next over as Edwards finished with his best BBL figures of 5-26.
The Thunder are now 0-2 and have a short turnaround against the Heat who are flying high after their epic chase on Friday night.
RELIVE THE ACTION IN OUR BLOG BELOW. CAN’T SEE IT? CLICK HERE.