Big Bash League (BBL) 2020: Sydney Sixers script history with 145-run victory over Melbourne Renegades

Sydney Sixers thrashed Melbourne Renegades by 145 runs on Sunday, which was the biggest victory in the Big Bash League (BBL) in terms of runs. Josh Philippe's 95 and Ben Dwarshuis' 4 for 13 were stand out performers for the defending champions.

After posting 205 for 4 in 20 overs – their highest in BBL, Sydney Sixers bowled out Renegades for a mere 60 in 10.4 overs, which was also the second-lowest total in Australia's T20 league. Renegades now hold the unwanted record of scoring BBL's top two lowest totals. Their 57 all out against Melbourne Stars remains BBL's lowest total.

On Sunday, Renegades won the toss and opted to bowl. Fast bowler Josh Lalor gave Renegades the required start by drawing first blood in the very second over of the first innings. He dismissed Sixers' opening batsman Jack Edwards for a two-ball one. Kane Richardson removed Sixers' James Vince, leaving the Sydney side at 40 for 2 in 5.5 overs. Philippe, who was dropped on 24, went on to score 95 off only 57 deliveries, built a 78-run stand with his skipper Daniel Hughes and that laid the platform for the remainder of the innings. Hughes struck a six and two fours before he was dismissed for 32 off 23 balls.

Philippe then forged a 70-run partnership with Jordan Silk in just five overs. Batting at No. 5, Silk thrashed Kane Richardson and the other Renegades bowlers as he produced a cameo of 45 off 19 balls, including seven fours and a six. Philippe, who played for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the recently ended Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, missed out on a deserving hundred by five runs after becoming Lalor's only wicket of the day.

During the chase of 206, Renegades lost their opening five wickets in a span of 10 balls. Ben Dwarshuis, who finished with figures of 4 for 13 from 2.4 overs, and Stephen O'Keefe with 3 for 16 did the majority of the damage.

"Runs on the board is always crucial when you bat first. We got a really nice total there and got some early wickets. Even the other night when we didn't get over the line we had some positive signs ... hopefully, we can continue this on.

I play my best when I hang in there and get through the tough stages at the start and I tend to find I score a lot quicker at the back end. I try to set myself up to bat the whole innings and it was nice to spend some time out in the middle," Philippe, who was awarded the Player of the Match, was quoted, as saying in the post-match interview.

Finch's Renegades have a brief break before their next fixture, which is against Hobart Hurricanes on Saturday. Sixers have a week's rest before their clash with Adelaide Strikers in Hobart next Sunday.