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Match Report:

Scorecard

Abbott stuns Stars, puts Sixers in finals

Allrounder performs remarkable rescue act as Sydney leapfrog Melbourne into third spot

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The scorecard: Melbourne Stars 8-156 (Wright 62, Dwarshius 3-25) lost to Sydney Sixers 7-160 (Abbott 33*, Boland 3-37) by three wickets with six balls to spare

The match in a tweet:  Abbott and Botha ice cool under pressure as the Sixers steal victory from the jaws of defeat #BBL06

The finals outcome: This was a must-win clash for the Sydney Sixers to extend their campaign beyond the regular season. And they came up trumps against all the odds, securing third spot on the ladder and a clash against the Brisbane Heat at the Gabba. The venue will hold no fears for the Sixers after their three-wicket win against Brisbane on January 3. The Stars finished fourth and will tackle minor premier Perth Scorchers, who they defeated by seven wickets in their last meeting at the WACA on January 14. The Scorchers, however, are the most successful team in the history of the KFC Big Bash League and are chock-full of confidence.The Stars were missing the likes of Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner, Adam Zampa, Marcus Stoinis and Pete Handscomb against the Sixers and will be hoping to regain some of those blue-chip performers for the cut-throat final.

Awesome Abbott sends Sixers into finals

The cameo: The Sixers looked gone when Nic Maddinson perished after after being dismissed by Scott Boland. At that stage they were 6-97 and needed 60 off 35 for victory with only four wickets in hand. But Sean Abbott – the leading wicket-taker in BBL|06 – showed his ability with the bat by striking a whirlwind 33 not out off 17 balls, highlighted by three fours and two sixes, in a man-of-the match display. It was the second time Abbott has taken centre stage this summer after collecting a five-wicket haul against the Adelaide Strikers on New Year’s Eve. He combined with Johan Botha (25) for a magnificent 59-run stand of to lock in a finals berth.

Unlucky Wright falls to Lyon at MCG

The fightback: The Stars raced to 1-59 from six overs and looked likely to give 200 a nudge in this vital contest. But the Sixers fought back with aplomb – led by Ben Dwarshius (3-25) and Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon (2-18) – to limit the damage. At one stage, the Stars were 1-130, with Englishmen Luke Wright and Kevin Pietersen sharing a 71-run stand for the second wicket. But the Stars lost 7-26 to finish 8-156 as the visitors showed their mettle.

Haddin winds back clock with classic

The catch: Former Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin pouched this beauty after Seb Gotch chased a wide delivery off the bowling of Ben Dwarshius. Haddin may be 39, but this grab showed he remains as sharp as ever – not to mention the athleticism.

Haddin completes stumping after fumbles

The Controversy: Confusion reigned after Brad Haddin completed this stumping, which was referred to the third umpire. The ball appeared to strike the veteran’s helmet before he removed the bails with Evan Gulbis out of his ground. The Melbourne Stars allrounder was later correctly given out, with the BBL playing conditions stating the ball is not dead if it hits the helmet.

Classy Wright hits a half-century

Wright fires: Luke Wright started BBL|06 with solid knocks of 48, 45 and 25. He then followed up with three single-figured scores. But the Englishman – a proven and consistent performer in the T20 format – appears to be rediscovering his best at the right time, following up his unbeaten 60 against the Brisbane Heat on Tuesday night with a superb 62 against the Sixers. Wright smacked half-a-dozen boundaries and a six during his 47-ball stay and laid the foundation for his team’s competitive total.

Quiney gets stars off to a flyer

Mr Consistency: Rob Quiney has been in and out of the Melbourne Stars’ much-vaunted line-up in past BBL seasons. Tonight, he registered his fifth score over 30 from seven innings in BBL|06 to help get his side off to a flyer. Quiney thumped 35 from 19 balls, including five boundaries and a six, to kickstart the Stars’ charge. Quiney hit three fours off a Johan Botha over, whacked Sean Abbott over the long-on boundary and struck a hammered a superb boundary off Moises Henriques before the Sixers skipper removed the in-form opening batsman.

Umpires' Verdict: Stars v Sixers

The wash-up: The Stars coughed up a home final and will now travel to the Furnace to take on a red-hot Perth Scorchers, while the Sixers will look to take advantage of their character-building win and knock off the Heat at the Gabba.