The Sydney Sixers have shown they are a team capable of winning this year’s Champions League after a hard-fought 12-run win over the Mumbai Indians in Durban.

Despite defending a small total of 136, the Sixers bowlers showed their class to keep the Mumbai side to 8/124 off their twenty overs.

In a match where the Sixers batting line-up was challenged for the first time this tournament, the BBL|01 champions proved they are a class act as they bounced back from a slow few overs with the ball to put their opponents on the back foot midway through the second innings.

With the runs flowing for Mumbai as they got off to a good chase to be 0/50 after the first eight overs, Sixers all-rounder Moises Henriques (2-29) stepped in to dismiss openers Dwayne Smith and Sachin Tendulkar in the ninth over.

Henriques, Josh Hazlewood (0-20), Pat Cummins (2-16), Steve O’Keefe (0-16) and Mitch Starc (2-32) then all combined to once again produce the kind of bowling performance they have become known for in this tournament.

The Sixers also showed off their ability in the field – recording two run outs and wicket-keeper Brad Haddin taking two fantastic catches to keep the wickets falling.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Michael Lumb got the Sixers off to a great start with the bat to be 0/31 after four overs despite a few streaky shots.

But after the loss of Lumb (28 off 22) in the fifth over, things started to look shaky for the Sixers – losing 3/7 in the space off six balls, including the loss of in form Captain Haddin for a duck.

On a pitch that favoured the bowlers throughout the match, the Sixers middle and lower order batsmen were put to the test for the first time this tournament and showed skill and patience to keep the Sixers in the game.

Nic Maddinson showed off his batting prowess as he hit two huge sixes on his way to 27 off just 13 balls before being run out in the eleventh over after a direct hit from Lasith Malinga.

Steve Smith (41 off 41 balls) batted well to hold the innings together for the Sixers as wickets continued to fall before he combined with Nathan McCullum (20 off 12) to help the Sixers record what proved to be a defendable total of 7/136.

Go to www.sydneysixers.com.au for full match details.