Steve Lambert,

Editor (Sport)

 

JOHANNESBURG – The Australian Sydney Sixers cruised to victory against the Highveld Lions with 7 overs to spare to secure an unbeaten trophy run and 2.5 million dollars. The match was played at the Lions home ground in Johannesburg, South Africa, but it was the away team that had all of the momentum.

The Lions started poorly, with only 8 runs being tallied in the first three overs. Peterson, Bodi, de Kock and McKenzie were all caught out early and a leg before wicket in the 6th dismissed Sohail Tanvir with a cumulative total of only 19 runs. A brief glimmer of hope for the Lions came in the way of Jean Symes, who managed a respectable 51 runs, including 8 4′s, but suffered the same fate as two of his teammates, falling victim to bowler Josh Hazlewood.

After the Lions ended their 20 overs 121 all out the Sixers really started to mount their offence. Michael Lumb and Brad Haddin were in magnificent form, with Lumb scoring 82 runs in just 42 balls, including an impressive 5 6′s. Haddin also scored 37 during the 12.3 overs and the Sixers ended the game in style with two 6′s and a 4 in the final over to secure the title with ease.