The Sydney Sixers are zeroing in on a Big Bash League final, dealing the Adelaide Strikers a seemingly fatal blow to their hopes of a title defence after a convincing eight-wicket win at the SCG.
After being set 125 for victory, the Sixers cruised to the total in the 15th over after Daniel Hughes (51 not out) and Moises Henriques (61 not out) took the game by the scruff of the neck on Tuesday night.
The Strikers were never really in the match after being restricted to 8-124 on the back of a stellar spell by Ben Dwarshuis (3-7), in front of a disappointing crowd of 8083.
The Strikers' innings was highlighted by Alex Carey falling victim to his fourth run out of this BBL to continue his lacklustre summer.
The home side was in a spot of bother at 2-24 - after Josh Philippe (4) was caught lbw, four balls after being struck in the ribs by Billy Stanlake who then had James Vince (9) caught at cover point.
Hughes and Henriques showed cool heads to guide the side to their third win on the trot and keep them in second spot, three points ahead of the fifth-placed Sydney Thunder.
Earlier, the Strikers were rocked at 1-4 in the first over after Australian limited overs keeper Carey was run out for just four.
Carey was out to an embarrassing mix-up with opening partner Jake Weatherald - the second time he has been run out against the Sixers this BBL season.
Dwarshuis recorded career-best T20 figures, including the key wicket of Jake Lehmann (46).
Lehmann was the only Striker to make a meaningful contribution with five Adelaide batsmen failing to reach double figures.
It leaves the Strikers four points behind the fourth-placed Melbourne Stars with three games remaining, making another title shot unlikely this season.
Dwarshuis said he'd never felt the ball come out of his hand as well as it did on Tuesday night and called it a consummate team effort.
"It's got to be pretty close to (a perfect team performance), it was a nice wicket and to keep them to 124," Dwarshuis said.
"The two guys that got it done last time (Vince and Philippe) missed out but the next two guys stood up and it was really clinical."
Strikers quick Peter Siddle said even after grabbing two quick wickets, they never felt confident on such a batting-friendly wicket.
"We've still got a chance mathematically," Siddle said of making the finals.
"It's not an ideal situation to be in all round tonight. We didn't start well with the bat and similar with the ball - we didn't quite nail it early on. It was a tough night for us."
