Henriques lifts Sixers to 152 in BBL qualifying final

Joel Gould | January 19, 2024

Moises Henriques has made Brisbane Heat pay for dropped catches to hit a classy half-century and fire the Sydney Sixers to 8-152 in the Big Bash League’s qualifying final.

The drop-in pitch at Heritage Bank Stadium on the Gold Coast was two-paced and offered seam for the pace bowlers, but Henriques (59 off 50 balls) and Daniel Hughes (42 off 33) added 94 for the third wicket to get the visitors to a competitive total.

The Heat’s bowlers fought back at the death to limit the damage.

Henriques was dropped twice in the same over off Michael Neser when he was on 20 and 21 – once by wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson and then in the outfield by Matt Renshaw.

The Sixers skipper then unleashed to march to his fifth half-century in BBL finals. 

Hughes and Henriques took 38 runs from the power surge, bowled by Spencer Johnson and Xavier Bartlett, as the Heat’s fielding fell away.

Johnson started on fire, bowling at more than 140 km/h and with accuracy, and had Josh Philippe (five) caught behind with his second delivery. 

His opening maiden ensured the Sixers were kept to 2-24 in the first powerplay after they had been sent in to bat.

The 28-year-old did not concede a run in his first 10 balls and took 1-1 in his final over to finish with 2-14 from his four overs.

His 18 dot balls were the most by a Heat bowler in BBL history.

Neser (3-27 off four) helped get the hosts back in it with late wickets just as the Sixers appeared set for 180-plus. 

The winners will host the BBL final on Wednesday, while the losers will welcome the winners of Saturday’s knockout final between Perth Scorchers and Adelaide Strikers for Monday’s challenger final.