Having tipped the Highveld Lions, it was inevitable that the Sydney Sixers would win the Champions League Trophy. However, few would have predicted such a one-sided contest.
The South Africans had got this far despite the poor form of their captain Alviro Petersen, and his miserable run continued. Being dismissed for a single is bad enough but when the opener is fourth back in the pavilion with the score on nine, things looked serious for the men in red. Spinners Nathan McCullum, one of only two non-Aussies in the side, and Steve O'Keefe, ripped out the Lions' teeth inside four overs and it was only through some sensible resistance from Jean Symes that they posted a vaguely defendible target.
The competition has been memorable for the economy and wicket-taking of the Lions' own spin duo Morris and Phangiso but they couldn't provide a repeat of their semi-final heroics. Skipper Brad Haddin and SA-born England international Michael Lumb ensured the Aussies romped to an amazing ten-wicket victory. No surprise that the latter won the Man of the Match award - the top batsman nearly always does - but O'Keefe or Josh Hazlewood deserved the plaudits.
Pink was the colour at the Wanderers and congratulations for the Sixers for not only ending the fortnight unbeaten but also for doing it without star performer Shane Watson in the final three matches. Michael Lumb was the top CLT scorer on 226 and Mitch Starc claimed more wickets than anyone else, so the Sydney outfit really did win everything going.
It'll be interesting to see how the young franchise progresses. Champions of the Big Bash and now the international tourney, they will take some beating. IPL sides like the Daredevils and Indians may be stacked with global superstars but the Sixers looked a more cohesive unit, with a more solid bowling attack than any other side on show. Few of them will be returning in the forthcoming Test series but South Africa must be fancying their chances of gaining revenge against Australian opposition in a few weeks' time, even wearing white instead of garish 'mangenta'.
