Sydney Sixers vs Brisbane Heat scorecard, BBL 2023-24 final highlights: Spencer Johnson takes Heat to the title win

After a month of excitement and enthralling action, the final of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2023-24 took place on Wednesday (24th January). Sydney Sixers were up against Brisbane Heat in the summit clash at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney.

Brisbane Heat were asked to bat first in the high-intensity clash. However, they didn’t have a great start as Sean Abbott sent their in-form batter Jimmy Peirson for just 4 runs in the first over. They were reeling at 5/1 and were under pressure.

It was then that Josh Brown and skipper Nathan McSweeney joined hands together and bailed the team out of trouble. They added 85 runs for the second wicket and made sure that they helped the team get off to a great start despite losing a wicket in the first over of the match. But they lost both their wickets in a span of just three balls.

While Nathan McSweeney scored 33 runs, Brown ended with a knock of 53 runs. Brisbane Heat were left at 90/3 after the duo got out. But after that, Matthew Renshaw and Max Bryant (29) played some crisp shots that made sure that kept the rate in check.

The wickets at the other end fell quickly but Renshaw kept fighting till the end. He scored 40 runs and got run out on the last ball of the innings. His impact knock powered Brisbane Heat to the fighting total of 166 runs on the board.

For Sydney Sixers, Sean Abbott was the pick of the bowlers. He picked a four-wicket haul and returned with the figures of 4/32. Ben Dwarshuis also picked one wicket whereas no other bowler could add his name into the wickets column.

Sydney Sixers vs Brisbane Heat Scorecard, BBL 2023-24 Final Highlights: Heat Win The Final By 54 Runs

Chasing the target, Sydney Sixers were off to the worst possible start. They lost in form Daniel Hughes for 1 run on the third delivery. Opener Jack Edwards tried to get going but Spencer Johnson sent him packing for 15 runs and left the home side tottering at 34/2.

Josh Phillippe, who didn’t have a great time in the tournament, tried to get going but again couldn’t make an impact. He managed just 23 runs as Spencer Johnson sent him packing in the 9th over. This got even worse for them when Jordan Silk bagged and Sydney Sixers were reduced to 57/4 inside 10 overs.

Skipper Moises Henriques, who was down with Covid, tried to get going but he too couldn’t carry on the start he got. The all-rounder managed 25 runs off 27 balls before he perished to Paul Walter. After his wicket, Joel Davies (15) batted well but couldn’t carry on.

Brisbane Heat was all over the Sydney Sixers batters and left them tottering at 94/8. Pacer Sean Abbott (16) kept his team in the hunt with some blows in the end but he too couldn’t stay for long at the crease. Heat bundled out the opposition for just 112 runs to win the BBL title by 54 runs.

Spencer Johnson was the pick of the bowlers with his figures of 4/32 whereas Steve O’Keefe and Ben Dwarshuis also picked one wicket each.

Brief scores

Brisbane Heat: 166-8 (Josh Brown 53; Sean Abbott 4/32)

Sydney Sixers: 112-10 (Moises Henriques 25; Spencer Johnson 4/26)