Abbott helps down leaders Scorchers to keep Sixers in touch at the top

Sydney Sixers 151 for 5 (Philippe 54) beat Perth Scorchers 145 for 7 (Eskinazi 66*, Abbott 3-18) by six runsSean Abbott produced another clutch BBL performance and Dan Christian delivered a vital single-over spell as Sydney Sixers kept themselves in touch with top spot in the BBL table by overcoming leaders Perth Scorchers.Stephen Eskinazi anchored Scorchers' chase after they lost early wickets but there wasn't quite the power in the closing overs to seal the game when it came down to 23 needed off the last two overs. Hayden Kerr successfully defended 16 off the last over.Sixers included both Steven Smith and Nathan Lyon for the first time this season. Smith produced some of most free-flowing batting on an evening where most found it tough.Scorchers' bowlers had again done an excellent job with only the combined overs from Ashton Agar and Ashton Turner coming in for significant punishment but it proved a rare occasion of the batting not quite being able to get the job done.Abbott sets the tone With 151 feeling underpowered, Sixers needed a good start with the ball and Abbott provided it in the powerplay. His first wicket owed much to the awareness of Kurtis Patterson on the rope as he flicked a catch back up and held the rebound to remove Cameron Bancroft. Then Abbott demolished Aaron Hardie's stumps when the allrounder missed a big drive.Lyon thought he had Josh Inglis lbw but it was umpire's call on impact, however Inglis didn't last much longer when he clubbed Kerr to mid-on to leave Scorchers 34 for 3 in the seventh.Hobson threatens to turn game Eskinazi and Turner rebuilt with a stand of 45 in five overs which left Scorchers with their noses in front. After Kerr had Turner taken at mid-off, Nick Hobson then looked like playing the decisive hand when he took on Lyon, depositing him 105 metres into the third tier of the Brewrongle Stand at deep midwicket.However, Abbott struck again in his final over, a slower-ball bouncer bringing the miscue from Hobson, although Eskinazi was keeping Scorchers in touch.Moises