James is king in Big Bash

JAMES VINCE fell one blow shy of a hundred for the second match in succession, but had the last laugh in leading Sydney Sixers to Big Bash League glory.

Stranded on 98 not out when Andrew Tye’s wide settled the qualifier between the two sides last week, the Hampshire batsman took a manof-the-match 95 off Perth Scorchers’ attack in the final at the SCG.

The 29- year- old was dismissed when he sliced leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed to point from the first ball of the 16th over as the Sixers posted 188 for six at the SCG on the way to a 27-run win.

It proved too many for Perth, who were without Jason Roy after he failed a late fitness test on an ankle injury.

Another England player in Lancashire’s Liam Livingstone top-scored with 45 from 35 deliveries but the defending champions sealed their third BBL title with relative ease once he departed to leave the Scorchers 95 for three in the 11th over.

It was also the ninth individual T20 competition win for veteran Australia all-rounder Dan Christian, who captained Nottinghamshire to victory in the Vitality Blast competition last October.