sport news Perth Scorchers one win away from Big Bash title after a SHOCKING fielding ... trends now
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A calamitous piece of fielding cost the Sydney Sixers the chance to upset the Perth Scorchers at Optus Stadium and sent the reigning champions through to another Big Bash final.
The four-time champions restricted the Sixers to 151-8 before replying with 154-3 in 18.3 overs.
Skipper Ashton Turner led from the front with a powerful 84 not out from 47 balls, ably supported by Cameron Bancroft, who added 53 as the duo put together a match-winning 132-run partnership.
Josh Philippe (right) dropped a very easy chance off Cameron Bancroft (left)
But the outcome could have been very different had Sixers wicket-keeper Josh Philippe caught Bancroft when the Scorchers still needed 60 to win off the final eight overs.
The former Australian opener skied a Steve O’Keefe delivery to present a simply regulation chance to Philippe and Sixers teammate Dan Christian, only for the two to remain rooted to their spots as the ball fell innocuously between them.
'You have got to commit to that,' Australian great Adam Gilchrist said in commentary on Fox Cricket, stunned that Philippe didn’t call for the ball.
'You have got the wicketkeeping gloves on. It doesn’t get any simpler.'
Analysing the incident after the game, Gilchrist added: 'That should have been shallowed – that’s a
