JOSH Philippe enhanced his credentials as a future international by leading the Sydney Sixers to their second Big Bash League title, as the Melbourne Stars, featuring Nowra's Nic Maddinson, added to their reputation as finals floppers following a 19-run defeat in the rain-shortened decider at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
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Philippe outshone a host of his more experienced Sixers batters, as he blasted a match-winning 52 off 29 balls to fire the Sixers to 5/116 in what was reduced to a 12-overs-per-side game at the SCG - with Jordan Silk adding 27 not out off 15 deliveries.
Glenn Maxwell (2/17) and Adam Zampa (2/24) starred with the white ball for the visitors.
In the visitors chase, player-of-the-tournament Marcus Stoinis loomed as the Stars' main threat but after the Stars opener creamed a six off Nathan Lyon's first ball of the innings, the Test off-spinner got his revenge when he had him caught for 10 on the square-leg boundary three balls later.
Maddinson's rough season (143 runs at 10.21) was capped as he followed an earlier dropped catch off Silk by poking an easy catch to cover off the impressive Josh Hazlewood (1/18 off three overs) to exit for a duck.
Captain Maxwell (five) was enraged when he was given out leg before wicket off Steve O'Keefe.
And when a slip from Nick Larkin, who top-scored with an unbeaten 38, led to confusion between the wickets with Peter Handscomb, the latter was easily run-out and the hosts were all but home - with the visitors finishing at 6/97.
Lyon (2/19) and O'Keefe (2/27) were the pick of the bowlers for the Sixers.
This is the Sixers' second BBL title and their first since the competition's inaugural season in 2011-12, when the Smith-captained side defeated Perth Scorchers by seven wickets.
Despite finishing on top of the ladder, another title went begging for the Stars, who have now made the decider on three occasions and missed the playoffs only once in nine seasons - as they have now won just three of the 12 finals matches.