Hit for Six!
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) — English batsman Michael Lumb struck 82 not out as the unbeaten Sydney Sixers won the Champions League Twenty20 by beating the Lions of South Africa by 10 wickets in the final yesterday.
Lumb smashed eight boundaries and five sixes in 42 balls at New Wanderers Stadium to steer Sydney to 124-0 in 12.3 overs in reply to the Lions’ 121 all out. Sydney opening batsman Brad Haddin hit 37 not out from 33 deliveries.
Jean Symes top-scored for the Lions with 51 from 46 balls, including eight boundaries. Sydney fast bowler Josh Hazlewood picked up 3-22, while New Zealand offspinner Nathan McCullum took 3-24.
The Australian side went through the competition unbeaten after winning every game in the group stage.
“That’s the game that we’ve been building for about two weeks, so that was absolutely brilliant,” Haddin said.
The match was one-sided from the beginning. Sydney, who won the inaugural edition of the Champions League in their previous guise of New South Wales, elected to bowl after winning the toss and reduced the Lions to 9-4.
McCullum struck in the opening over of the innings after he was surprisingly given the new ball, before a double-wicket maiden from Hazlewood left the Lions reeling.
“It was a good opportunity to open up with something different,” McCullum said. “It’s something I’m used to and I enjoy it, but the boys also did well today collectively. We bowled and fielded really well.”
The home side were indebted to Symes for reaching a vaguely respectable score but, chasing such a modest total, Lumb and Haddin allowed themselves a couple of overs to become accustomed to the pace of the pitch. Both batsmen, however, were dropped on 17.
The Australian team pocketed $2.5 million for their success, while the Lions had to settle for $1.3 million.