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Starc and Smith star as Sixers set BBL finals
SEN • January 19th, 2026 9:07 am
The Sydney Sixers are through to the BBL Qualifier with a five-wicket triumph over the Brisbane Heat in a must-win fixture at the Gabba last night.
Aussie stars Mitch Starc and Steve Smith were the key contributors while Sam Curran was also dominant as the Sixers finished the regular season in second spot.
The Heat batted first and seemed in a fair amount of trouble at 4/59 when Marnus Labuschagne trudged off when dismissed for 18.
But they were underpinned by Nathan McSweeney’s unbeaten 69 (off 54 balls) with Michael Neser striking a crazy 35 (off 14) to get them to a respectable 9/171.
Starc was the pick of the Sixers’ bowlers with his BBL-best figures of 4/35 including the scalps of opener Jack Wildermuth (1) and the in-form Matt Renshaw (0), while Curran took 2/37.
Sydney’s response did not start well with Pakistan star Babar Azam out for just 1 and first drop Josh Philippe gone for 8, but fellow opener Smith compiled 54 (off 40 balls) to settle things down.
Sixers captain Moises Henriques chipped in with 24 (off 20) before Player of the Match Curran made an unbeaten 53 (off 27 balls) to guide them home.
It was England all-rounder Curran's last contribution for the Sixers as he prepares to jet out for international duty.
The BBL|15 finals are now set with the Sixers to meet the Perth Scorchers at Optus Stadium on January 20 with the winner straight through to the Final.
The Knockout between the Hobart Hurricanes and the Melbourne Stars takes place at Ninja Stadium on January 21.
