Sydney Sixers sizzle to win Champions League T20

Inspired captaincy from skipper Brad Haddin paved the way for the Sydney Sixers’ crushing 10-wicket win over home team Highveld Lions in the Champions League Twenty20 final in Johannesburg.

Boasting a vaunted pace bowling trio in Mitchell Starc, Patrick Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, Haddin’s decision to open the bowling with spinners Nathan McCullum (3-24 off 4) and Stephen O’Keefe 1-11 of 4) proved a masterstroke.

The Lions crashed to 4-9 in the fourth over and were dismissed for 121.

The Sixers made light of the modest total, blasting their way to victory with a massive 7.3 overs to spare to claim the $US2.5 million ($A2.42 million) winners’ prize.

South African-born Michael Lumb (82 not out off 42 balls) smashed eight fours and five sixes, as he combined with Haddin (37 off 33) to sweep their side to a convincing victory.

“Twenty20 is about going with your gut feeling,and I only decided to bowl O’Keefe (in the second over) probably about 30 seconds before I gave him the ball,” Haddin said.

Paceman Hazlewood (3-22 of 4) struck two big blows in the third over inducing Quinton de Kock (1 off 7) and veteran Neil McKenzie (0 off 4) to top edge catches off poor shots. O’Keefe chipped in by producing a pearler that turned away and caught the edge of Proteas batting star Alviro Petersen (1 off 6).

Jean Symes (51 off 46) featured in two partnerships that at least lifted his side over the 100 mark and gave the innings a tinge of respectability.

He put on 41 with Thami Tsolekile (20 off 19) and 38 with Dwaine Pretorius (21 off 13) before the last four wickets fell for 10 runs.

Sydney scored just eight off the first three overs but scored almost 40 in a two-over blitz to take control.

Sixers’ paceman Starc finished as the tournament’s leading wicket taker with 14 wickets.