Symes gives Lions feeble hope

Sydney Sixers minus Shane Watson were still favourites to clinch the Champions League Twenty20 title on Sunday after restricting Highveld Lions to 121 all out in the final at the Wanderers.

Sydney Sixers minus Shane Watson were still favourites to clinch the Champions League Twenty20 title on Sunday after restricting Highveld Lions to 121 all out in the final at the Wanderers.

The Sixers, unbeaten in the tournament and who beat their South African rivals in a league game, showed their confidence as skipper Brad Haddin elected to field. And the Lions' top-order batsmen played into the hands of the Aussie team as one after another miscued shots in the air and into the safe hands of the fielders.

Opener Gulam Bodi (6), Quinn de Kock (1), Neil McKenzie (0) and opener Alviro Petersen (1) all were guilty of reckless shots as the Sixers took charge. Lions eventually owed their total to Jean Symes, who top-scored with 51 off 46 deliveries with eight fours. The former South Africa U-19 player found support in wicketkeeper Thami Tsolekile, who contributed 20.

The pair shared in a 41-run partnership for the sixth wicket to eventually ensure some kind of a total to bowl at.

The Sixers hit with both pace and spin. New Zealand left-arm spinner Nathan McCullum and pacer Josh Hazlewood claimed three wickets apiece with two smart run out also undermining the Lions innings.

Brief scores: Lions 121 (Symes 51, Hazlewood 3-22, McCullum 3-24)