Sixers Dominate Thunder in Heated Sydney smash

Bragging rights well and truly belong to the Sixers after a stunning second-wicket partnership and a career-best night with the ball powered them to a comprehensive 47-run victory over bitter rivals the Thunder in a heated Sydney Smash.

The teams traded barbs throughout the week but it was the Sixers who let their cricket do the talking as Josh Philippe and Babar Azam piled on the runs to help them post 5-198 as the men in magenta snapped their losing streak.

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MATCH CENTER: Thunder vs Sixers scorecard, teams, stats

Back-to-back losses to start the campaign had some wondering if the most consistent team in BBL history could finally be faltering, but the local derby fired them into action and made up for last year’s heartbreaking finals defeat.

MAGENTA MAGIC

The Sixers weren’t happy when they walked into the away sheds last year to see posters of Thunder players getting them out.

But they can now have some fun of their own when they meet again in a few weeks thanks to their two main men with the bat.

It took a controversial catch to deny Philippe a maiden BBL century as he and high-profile recruit Azam combined for a 140-run partnership for the second wicket.

Azam had scored just 11 runs in his first two innings but roa