Vince, Patterson guide Sixers to comfortable win over Renegades
Sixers move to second spot with fourth win in a row; Renegades suffer third straight loss
AAP
30-Dec-2022
James Vince drives through the covers • Cricket Australia via Getty Images
Sydney Sixers 4 for 126 (Vince 39, Patterson 38) beat Melbourne Renegades 7 for 124 (Marsh 35, Wells 28, Jordan 2-25, Kerr 2-25)
Kurtis Patterson and James Vince helped steer Sydney Sixers to a comfortable six-wicket BBL win over Melbourne Renegades in Geelong.
After restricting their hosts to a below-par 124 for 7, Sixers were never seriously in trouble in their run chase at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night. Vince (39 off 31 balls) was the early aggressor before Patterson (38 off 35) took the reins, with the pair laying a strong platform.
Dan Christian completed the job, belting four consecutive boundaries off Kane Richardson with 13 balls to spare.
Two quick wickets fell when Vince and captain Moises Henriques were dismissed a few balls either side of the drinks break.
When Patterson was out caught off West Indian left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein with Sixers at 99 for 4, Renegades had a glimmer of hope. But it was merely a speed bump for Sixers, who cruised to a fourth consecutive victory.
It lifted them level on points with Perth Scorchers at the top of the table, while Renegades have suffered three straight defeats.
Renegades won the toss and batted first but their highly credentialed batting line-up faltered for the second time in as many matches against Sixers. Shaun Marsh and Jonathan Wells were solid contributors but lacked support at the top.
Wicketkeeper Josh Philippe dropped a simple early chance when Martin Guptill edged one behind off Bird but Sixers' catching was otherwise superb. Hayden Kerr, Chris Jordan and Jordan Silk all claimed difficult diving catches in the outfield.
Renegades captain Nic Maddinson was the first man out - for a six-ball duck - when he was caught brilliantly by Kerr.
Renegades managed just 14 for 1 from the opening powerplay and their run rate still sat well below six at the halfway point of the innings, when they were struggling at 53 for 3. At that stage, Marsh had been the only batter to find the boundary.
He scored three fours and one of Renegades' two sixes for the innings, with Aaron Finch the only other batter to clear the rope.