BBL 12: Steve Smith fires again as Sixers record a thumping win over Hurricanes

Smith hammered a fantastic fifty [Source: Twitter]

Riding on Steve Smith's scintillating fifty and bowlers' collective effort, Sydney Sixers defeated Hobart Hurricanes by 24 runs in the 53rd game of the Big Bash League on Monday. 

Smith's fifty propels Sixers to a formidable total

After being put into bat, Sydney Sixers got off to a flying start, courtesy of a counterattacking fifty from Steve Smith. While Joshua Philippe was a mere spectator during his 16-ball 8, Smith smashed four boundaries and six humongous sixes for a breathtaking 33-ball 66. 

After Smith got out, the Sixers crumbled, losing four more wickets for only 34 runs. However, Ben Dwarshuis' 14-ball 30, laced with four boundaries and one six, proved to be gold dust for the visitors, powering them to 180 for 7 in 20 overs. 

Patrick Dooley emerged as the pick of the bowlers for the Hurricanes, scalping three wickets for 42 runs. 

Bowlers' brilliance seizes the day for the Sixers

Zak Crawley's knock went in vain [Source: Twitter]

Chasing 181, the Hurricanes had a miserable start, losing openers Ben McDermott and Caleb Jewell cheaply. 

The mainstays of the Hurricanes' lineup, Matthew Wade, Tim David and D'Arcy Short failed to capitalise on their starts. However, Zak Crawley kept fighting and contributed 49 runs before being dismissed by Izharulhaq Naveed in the 17th over. 

After Crawley's departure, it took a little time for the Sixers to seal the win, as the Hurricanes were restricted to 156 for 8 in 20 overs. 

Brief Scores

Sydney Sixers: 180/7 (20)
Steve Smith 66 (33), Ben Dwarshuis 30 (14);
Patrick Dooley 3/42 (4), Nathan Ellis 1/27 (4)

Hobart Hurricanes: 156/8
Zak Crawley 49 (45), Tim David 24 (13);
Jackson Bird 2/26 (3), Sean Abbott 2/32 (4)

Sydney Sixers won by 24 runs. 

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