A four-wicket haul to Hobart Hurricanes paceman Ben Laughlin couldn’t stop the Sydney Sixers passing 150 for just the second time this season – but it has given his side the upper hand at the SCG.
The Sixers started brightly but lost cheap wickets throughout before Laughlin ripped them apart late to restrict the home side to 8-154 and leave their title defence well and truly on the ropes.
Laughlin’s 4-31 takes him to 10 scalps for the tournament, making him the leading wicket-taker – one ahead of Melbourne firebrand Lasith Malinga.
The defending champions, who have struggled to post defendable totals this year, finally got off to a flyer with openers Brad Haddin and Michael Lumb taking the Sixers to 0-57 mid-way through the sixth over.
The wheels fell off soon after, with Haddin (22) showing his stumps to fast bowler Michael Hogan (1-47), who duly knocked them over.
Soon after, Lumb was trapped lbw for 34 while foolishly trying to reverse sweep Xavier Doherty (2-26) and suddenly the Sixers were 2-59.
After an 18-run cameo from Moises Henriques was also ended softly the main responsibility of getting a decent total to defend lay with Smith.
The young allrounder looked capable, smashing a run-a-ball 34 before he became Laughlin’s third victim.
The Sixers then lost their last five wickets for a paltry 25 runs to ensure their season is in serious trouble – as they sit second last on the BBL ladder with just one victory at the halfway point of the season.