In a thrilling Big Bash League encounter, England’s Sam Curran delivered a match-winning all-round performance to propel the Sydney Sixers to a commanding five-wicket victory over the Brisbane Heat at the Gabba. The left-arm pacer’s fiery spell and crucial batting firepower turned the game on its head, silencing the home crowd and boosting the Sixers’ playoff aspirations.
Chasing a modest target of 147, the Sixers navigated early turbulence with composure. Curran, opening the bowling, struck gold early by dismantling the Heat’s top order. His figures of 3/21 from four incisive overs, including the vital scalps of Colin Munro and Matt Renshaw, restricted Brisbane to 146/8. The pitch offered seam movement under lights, which Curran exploited masterfully with his variations.
In the chase, Sixers captain Moises Henriques anchored the innings with a gritty 41, while Jordan Silk’s aggressive 35 accelerated the scoring rate. Curran then sealed the deal with an unbeaten 29 off just 14 balls, featuring three towering sixes. The winning runs came in the 19th over, with the Sixers finishing at 147/5.
Brisbane’s bowlers, led by Xavier Bartlett’s 2/28, fought back but couldn’t contain the momentum shift. This win catapults the Sixers up the BBL table, while the Heat slip further, now grappling with consistency issues. Curran’s Player of the Match award underscores his growing dominance Down Under, blending raw pace with smart cricketing nous.