The Sydney Sixers have stood by their decision to bowl first in the BBL final against the Brisbane Heat despite going down to their opponents at the SCG. This move was a departure from their usual strategy, as the Sixers have been known for setting defendable targets and excelling at defending them, especially at their home ground.
Throughout the season, the Sixers have displayed a strong ability to set targets of close to 155 runs and successfully defend them, leveraging the strengths of their bowling attack. Their success rate in defending scores less than 160 when batting first has been an impressive 77 percent over the past five years, compared to the competition-wide average of 32 percent.
Vice-captain Daniel Hughes explained that the decision to bowl first was influenced by the belief that the pitch would be better to bat on under lights. However, he acknowledged that in hindsight, they could have restricted the Heat to a lower total, possibly around 150, had things gone differently.
The team also faced challenges off the field, with captain Moises Henriques testing positive for Covid-19 just before the final. This forced Henriques to maintain a distance from the team and prevented him from being involved in certain aspects of the game, including the toss.
Hughes expressed the team’s desire to have their leader present, emphasizing Henriques’ importance as a leader and his absence due to the Covid-19 protocols. Despite these disruptions, Hughes emphasized that they do not serve as excuses for the team’s performance in the final.
The loss in the final marked a poignant moment for retiring spinner Steve O’Keefe, who remains one wicket short of 100 wickets in the BBL. O’Keefe, who plans to move to the NSW North Coast in the coming months, confirmed that he will not be returning for another season, putting an end to his illustrious career.
Reflecting on his time with the Sydney Sixers, O’Keefe expressed pride in being part of a successful club and highlighted the special place that the SCG holds in his cricketing journey. Despite falling short of the 100-wicket milestone, O’Keefe remains grateful for his time with the Sixers and looks forward to his future endeavors.
The BBL final loss and the end of O’Keefe’s career mark a transitional period for the Sydney Sixers, who will now look ahead to the next season with renewed determination and focus on building upon their successes.
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