Davies and Kerr Lead Sixers to Remarkable Escape in Low-Scoring BBL Clash

Sydney Sixers climbed to fourth place on the BBL table after edging Brisbane Heat by three wickets in a gripping contest, chasing down 118 for 7 after earlier restricting the Heat to 114 for 9.

Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, and Player-of-the-Match Joel Davies had two wickets apiece, and the Sixers kept the Heat under pressure with the ball. Brisbane battled back, reducing the Sixers to 56 for 7, and were still in contention for an incredible BBL 2025/26 defence, similar to Perth Scorchers defending 117 for 7 against Melbourne Renegades in 2013-14.

Davies and Hayden Kerr steadied the chase on and put together an unbeaten 62-run stand off 49 balls. The chase became tense and chaotic before Kerr sealed victory with a towering six, leaving eight balls still unused.

Young, quick Oli Patterson sparked Brisbane’s belief when he removed Babar Azam and Josh Philippe in back-to-back deliveries during his first over. The Sixers continued to stumble as Matt Kuhnemann struck twice in two balls, dismissing Jordan Silk and Jack Edwards, before Moses Henriques fell for 26 and Ben Manenti was caught and bowled to make it 56 for 7.

From there, Davies took charge with maturity well beyond his years, complementing his earlier 2 for 19. Kerr supported him perfectly as the pair carried the side home.

"I'm pumped," Davies said. "One of my goals for the year was to have a Man-of-the-Match performance, and it was good to have it in such challenging conditions."

Both teams now have six points, but the Sixers hold the advantage with a better net run rate and a game in hand. Brisbane performs well at home and is yet to win anywhere, thus making their season unpredictable.

Brisbane Heat’s innings never clicked despite Jack Wildermuth’s brisk 31 off 17, including a huge 84-metre six before Abbott bowled him. Dwarshuis removed Max Bryant and Nathan McSweeney in the same over, while Abbott marked his 200th T20 with another polished display. Meanwhile, Dwarshuis again showed why many felt he was unlucky to miss Australia’s T20 World Cup squad.

A last-wicket partnership of 23 between Patterson and Tom Balkin ended up being the Heat’s second-best stand of the innings, highlighting their struggles with the bat.