The Perth Scorchers secured top spot in the Big Bash League despite a dramatic one-run loss in Wednesday night's clash with the Sydney Sixers at the SCG.
The Sixers seemed to have the victory comfortably in their hands when the Scorchers needed seven off the last two balls.
But Brett Lee (0 for 35 off four overs) dramatically bowled a no-ball and a wide to leave the Scorchers just five short of their victory target of 177 still with two balls remaining.
In the end though the Sixers held their nerve and ran out Scorchers captain Marcus North for 59 as he tried to score a run to level the scores off the final delivery in a stunning finish in front of a healthy crowd of 20,400.
Despite the defeat the Scorchers had already reached the 168 needed to take top spot on the ladder and secure a home semi-final.
The Sixers' win was tempered by a horror night for embattled Test wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who made a second ball duck and dropped North when the Scorchers skipper was on 29.
The Sixers have finished third and will play the Hurricanes in a semi-final in Hobart on Saturday.
North's 69-run fourth-wicket stand with fellow veteran Simon Katich (31 off 26 balls) came at a crucial time for the Scorchers after Test quick Mitchell Starc (3 for 29 off four) had ripped through their top-order.
The 21-year-old left-armer, who is hoping to retain his starting position for next week's fourth Test in Adelaide, dismissed international team-mate Shaun Marsh (18), Marsh's little brother Mitchell (0) and then former England international Paul Collingwood (2) in five balls to leave the Scorchers 3 for 34.
The Sixers' innings was highlighted by a 25-ball 51 from Steve Smith, while young gun Nic Maddinson chipped in with 49 before falling to evergreen spinner Brad Hogg (2 for 22 off four).
Smith's eventful knock, which featured three sixes, came to an end at the hands of impressive paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile who continued his solid tournament by claiming 3 for 38 off four overs.
North said securing the home final had been a priority for the Scorchers but he had still wanted to extend his team's winning streak to six matches.
"My message throughout the innings was to win the game and by doing that we should meet those targets," he said.
"It's been a fantastic game of cricket. Obviously we were on the losing end of it but credit to both teams for putting in a really good show in this T20 competition."
The Scorchers will play either the Stars, Brisbane Heat or Strikers in Perth on Saturday with a place in the lucrative Champions League going to the victor - a carrot which North said made it almost the most important game of the domestic summer.
"There's no doubt that's a final in itself, the big one to get to India," he said.
Man of the match Starc said it was nice to continue his good run of form after the Perth Test and ensure the Sixers would play against the Hurricanes in Hobart on Sunday.
"It's just good to get the win for the Sixers and gain momentum before the finals. We said at the start of the competition that we wanted to entertain and I think we've done that tonight," Starc said.
AAP
Tags: sport, cricket, twenty20, sydney-2000, nsw, australia First posted January 18, 2012 22:55:35
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