Sydney: Test wicketkeeper Brad Haddin smashed 76 runs off 59 balls to overshadow Matthew Hayden`s return to Australian cricket and lead the Sydney Sixers to a seven-wicket win over the Brisbane Heat in the opening match of the Big Bash Twenty20 tournament.
Prolific test opener Hayden, who last played in Australia in 2009, made an aggressive 29 from 28 balls before being bowled by another ex-test player, legspinner Stuart MacGill (2-21).
Haddin, 40, timed five boundaries and five sixes before being caught by Hayden off a Daniel Christian ball in the 18th over as the Sixers scored 140-3 in reply to Brisbane`s 138-8 with eight balls remaining.
Spin great Shane Warne is scheduled to take the field Saturday for the Melbourne Stars against the Sydney Thunder after coach Greg Shipperd said the legspinner has recovered from burns to his bowling hand.
Warne bowled without discomfort in training on Friday, despite burning several fingers on his right hand in a cooking accident and only having the bandage removed on Wednesday.
Warne`s fiancee, English model and actress Elizabeth Hurley, will toss the coin before the match Stars-Thunder match.
Bureau Report
