A thrilling New Year’s Day encounter at Marvel Stadium saw the Sydney Sixers clinch a vital six-wicket victory over the Melbourne Renegades. In the 18th match of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 season, a masterclass from Babar Azam and a disciplined bowling performance by Sean Abbott ensured the Sixers started 2026 on a winning note, leaving the Renegades struggling to find momentum in their campaign.
Renegades’ Aggressive Start and Middle-Order Wobble
Winning the toss and electing to bowl, the Sydney Sixers were immediately put on the back foot by Josh Brown. The Renegades opener launched a calculated assault, smashing 43 off just 19 deliveries, including three boundaries and four towering sixes. However, the Sixers’ bowling attack, led by the experienced Sean Abbott, refused to crumble. After Hayden Kerr finally removed Brown, the Renegades’ scoring rate began to stutter.
Tim Seifert and Mohammad Rizwan failed to make significant impacts, falling for 8 and 6 respectively. Jake Fraser-McGurk attempted to anchor the innings with a mature 38 off 29 balls, but he lacked a stable partner to capitalize on the Powerplay platform. As the Renegades looked to shift gears, the Sixers struck at crucial intervals. Oliver Peake contributed a brief 13 before becoming one of Jack Edwards’ two victims, leaving the home side at a precarious 116/5 when Fraser-McGurk departed.
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Abbott’s Precision and Hassan Khan’s Late Flourish
The backend of the Renegades’ innings was a tale of two halves. Sean Abbott showcased why he is a BBL stalwart, finishing with exceptional figures of 3/16 from his four overs. His ability to restrict the batters on a sluggish surface proved decisive, as he removed Matthew Spoors and Andrew Tye in quick succession.
Despite the regular loss of wickets, Hassan Khan provided the fireworks the Renegades desperately needed. Khan’s 39 off 29 balls, featuring three sixes, pushed the total to a competitive 164/9. While Ben Dwarshuis and Hayden Kerr picked up two wickets each, they were expensive, conceding 47 and 40 runs respectively. The Renegades headed into the break feeling they had a defendable total on a pitch that offered uneven bounce and a heavy outfield.
The Sixers’ Measured Response
The Sydney Sixers‘ chase began with a focused approach. Daniel Hughes played the aggressor early on, contributing 30 off 23 balls to provide a steady foundation. At the other end, Babar Azam played the role of the anchor, navigating a tricky surface where timing was difficult. When Hughes fell to Gurinder Sandhu in the seventh over, the Sixers were 46/1, slightly behind the required rate but with plenty of wickets in hand.
The Renegades’ bowlers, particularly Gurinder Sandhu, kept the pressure high. Sandhu was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts, taking 2/23 and keeping the Sixers’ superstars in check. When Josh Philippe and captain Moises Henriques fell after making starts, the match hung in the balance with the Sixers needing 57 runs from the final six overs.
Babar Azam and Joel Davies Seal the Deal
The momentum shifted decisively during the Power Surge. Babar Azam, who had been “crawling” by his usual standards, found his rhythm and notched a well-constructed half-century. He finished unbeaten on 58 off 46 balls, an innings punctuated by four boundaries and a six.
However, the real game-changer was young Joel Davies. Coming in at a high-pressure moment, Davies unleashed a breezy cameo that took the game away from Melbourne. His 34 runs came off just 15 balls at a strike rate of 226.67, including three fours and two sixes. This aggressive display deflated the Renegades’ defense and allowed the Sixers to cruise to the target with five balls to spare.
Impact on the BBL Standings
This victory was crucial for the Sydney Sixers, moving them to four points and keeping them in the hunt alongside the Scorchers and Heat in the middle of the table. For the Melbourne Renegades, the defeat adds to a disappointing trend, as they remain near the bottom of the ladder and in desperate need of a winning streak to keep their playoff hopes alive. Sean Abbott was deservedly named Player of the Match for his clinical 3/16, which ultimately proved to be the difference in a closely contested New Year’s battle.
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