Sydney Sixers defeated Brisbane Heat by 39 runs in Qualifier 1 of the Big Bash League 2023-24 on Friday. Despite crumbling in the first half, the Sixers made a resilient effort to outshine their rivals and sealed a commendable win in the decisive encounter, paving the way to the final of BBL|13.

Moises Henriques leads charge with the willow for Sydney Sixers

Opting to bowl first at Carrara Oval in Queensland, the Heat displayed excellent bowling, dismissing Jack Edwards for 16 and Josh Philippe for five. Skipper Moises Henriques, alongside Daniel Hughes, led the recovery after a challenging power-play that left the Sixers at 24/2. Facing tightened bowling, they rotated the strike and found occasional boundaries. In the 13th over, the Power Surge saw Hughes and Henriques amass 38 runs, with Henriques reaching his fifty off 40 balls.

However, Paul Walter broke their 94-run partnership in the 15th over by dismissing Hughes. The quick departures of Jordan Silk and Joel Davies hindered the Sixers’ momentum. Henriques’ fine knock of 59 off 50 balls ended in the 18th over, as the side finished with a total of 152 runs at the end of their 20 overs.

Ben Dwarshuis shines with ball for Sydney Sixers

In pursuit of a target of 153, the Heat encountered a steady start as the Sixers bowled effectively in the starting overs, preventing the opening pair of Josh Brown and Jimmy Peirson from gaining momentum. Brown struggled at the crease and was dismissed after scoring 15 off 22 balls, while Peirson departed on 26 in the ninth over. With the team at 51/2 at the halfway mark, Heat’s skipper Nathan McSweeney partnered with Matt Renshaw to rebuild the innings.

However, Edwards claimed McSweeney’s wicket in the 11th over, disrupting Heat’s progress. The Sixers further dented the Heat’s innings as Dwarshuis dismissed Renshaw (16) and Paul Walter (0) in consecutive deliveries. The bowlers took wickets at regular intervals, ultimately bowling out the Heat for 113 and securing a 39-run victory. Ben Dwarshuis stood out as the standout bowler for the Sixers, achieving a fifer with figures of 5/21 in 3.5 overs, marking his career-best performance.

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Here is how Twitter reacted:

What a Spell. Career Best @BBL and T20 Bowling figures for Ben Dwarshuis.
Overs ➡️ 3.5
Runs ➡️ 21
Wickets ➡️ 5
150+ T20 Wickets.
200 Career Wickets (All Formats)@SixersBBL #BBL13

— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan) January 19, 2024

Sydney sixers qualifies for the Final for BBL.#BBL13 pic.twitter.com/PpJ6xNpCWn

— F1ash (@F1ash69) January 19, 2024

Victory for Sydney Sixers by 39 runs! Good game! ….. 🏏 #BBL13 #Cricket

— Sriram (彬彬), MBA MA BTECHIT (@svmbaekohau) January 19, 2024

Ben Dwarshuis takes Sydney Sixers into the finals of BBL|13: https://t.co/ciUHDzAwmk#cricket #BBL13 #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/iNuFP3eGNZ

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 19, 2024

NO WAY! 🤯 Jack Edwards, that’s gotta be catch of the tournament! #BBL13 pic.twitter.com/Jzo8owbFly

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 19, 2024

Moises Henriques is ageless. Plus he’s so great to listen to when he’s on the Fox Cricket microphone in the field. Glad to see him have another successful year. Renegades could do a lot worse then get his experience

— Leigh Jones (@leighjones0212) January 19, 2024

Moises Henriques strikes the first six of the #BBL13 finals series! pic.twitter.com/pV6TjS3ZEo

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 19, 2024

Gold Coast turned up for the Big Bash 👏 #BBL13 pic.twitter.com/8JXa9wQq7k

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 19, 2024

Ben Dwarshuis will always be a criminally underrated cricketer. One of the BBL’s best for a long time #BBL13

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) January 19, 2024

Best ever Bowling figures in Finals of @BBL ➡️ Ben Dwarshuis 5/21.@SixersBBL #BBL13

— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan) January 19, 2024

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