Lyon helps Sixers move into second place

Sydney Sixers 2 for 131 (Maddinson 59*) beat Sydney Thunder 6 for 128 (Hughes 32, Lyon 3-14) by 8 wickets
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Nathan Lyon and Nic Maddinson helped Sydney Sixers to a comfortable eight-wicket win over Sydney Thunder that gave the Sixers a good chance of hosting a BBL semi-final. Although the four finalists were already decided before this match, the Sixers needed to win to move themselves up to second position and they will now host a semi-final unless Perth Scorchers beat the top-placed Melbourne Stars on Monday.

After being sent in by the Sixers, the Thunder struggled to post a competitive target as Lyon, who took 3 for 14 from his four overs, kept things tight. Daniel Hughes top scored with 32 from 33 balls and Michael Hussey made a quick 21 but they were both victims of Lyon, who prevented the Thunder from gaining any sort of momentum.

Kurtis Patterson (27) and Ryan Carters (15 not out) pushed the total up to 6 for 128 but it always appeared below par, even when Michael Lumb was run out for 2 in the second over of the chase. Mark Cosgrove and Maddinson steered the chase comfortably and the departure of Cosgrove, caught at long-on for 32, was the only other breakthrough made by the Thunder.

Maddinson and Moises Henriques kept the runs ticking over and although they took the match into the 20th over, they never appeared in danger of failing to reach their target. Maddinson finished unbeaten on 59 and Henrqiues was on 27 as they consigned the Thunder to their seventh loss of the BBL season and the wooden spoon for the third consecutive season.

The only negative for the Sixers was an injury to the spinner Steve O'Keefe, who hurt his shoulder while fielding and will be in doubt for the remainder of the tournament.