Henriques proves to be the real star

A SWASHBUCKLING captain’s knock from Moises Henriques has powered the Sydney Sixers to a 21-run win over the BBL’s table-topping Melbourne Stars at the SCG.

Henriques put on a masterclass in Twenty20 batting during last night’s rain-affected clash, hammering 72 from 31 balls as his team banked their first win since January 8 to reclaim second spot on the ladder.

Fellow allrounder Marcus Stoinis (62) threatened to outgun Henriques while effortlessly smoking seven boundaries, many of which were similar to those struck during an unbeaten 147 which recently silenced the Sixers at the MCG.

But Stoinis’s attempt to crash a third consecutive six off Test tweaker Nathan Lyon proved his downfall as the Stars finished at 5-125 in pursuit of a target of 147 from 14 overs.

Glenn Maxwell’s decision to bat at No.4 below Nic Maddinson surprised many in the commentary box, with the Stars’ game-changing skipper not walking out until the victory equation was 62 runs off 26 balls.

Maxwell scored 12 and was unable to conjure any miracles while facing 13 deliveries.

Fittingly, it was Henriques who held onto the clutch catch off a swirling skied edge to dismiss Stoinis, the BBL’s leading run-scorer.

Henriques and James Vince (41no) earlier shared the highest third-wicket stand in franchise history, adding 114 runs while rocketing their team to 4-143.

The target was bumped up as per Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) rules, factoring in a rain delay of almost one hour that came just 3.1 overs into the innings.

The Stars were already guaranteed of finishing the regular season in top spot.