'Awful s**thousery': Fans accuse Big Bash player of 'disgusting' act

Cricket fans have accused Scorchers bowler AJ Tye of “unsportsmanlike” conduct on the final ball of the semi-final against the Sydney Sixers to deny James Vince a brilliant century.

James Vince piloted defending champions Sydney Sixers into another Big Bash League final at the SCG, making a mockery of a target of 168 in his side's qualifying final against Perth.

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The table-topping Sixers were forced to host the clash in Canberra, having failed to play a single game at home this season because of border closures.

The men in magenta wrapped up a nine-wicket win with 18 balls remaining at Manuka Oval, thanks largely to Vince's unbeaten 98 and his 92-run opening stand with Josh Philippe (45).

But it was the final ball of the game that prompted a chorus of boos from the crowd.

Stranded on 98, with just one run to win, Vince was looking to push for a two or a boundary to grab the win and his century.

But AJ Tye ended the game with an anticlimactic bouncer that was rightly called wide.

"I wouldn't have been able to reach it without a stepladder," Vince quipped.

"I walked off to point to avoid him (Tye). But he said he didn't mean it. I just had some food and their guys said he didn't mean it, so I take his word.

"It would have been the icing on the cake ... but happy I was there at the end and able to get to the final."

While some fans on social media didn’t have a problem with Tye’s wide, many accused him for an ‘unsportsmanlike’ act.

One fan even described it as ‘brilliant/awful s**thousery’ from Tye.

Scorchers captain defends Tye

Scorchers skipper Ashton Turner praised Vince's "batting masterclass" while defending Tye.

"Anybody who knows AJ Tye, knows he plays the game in the best spirits," Turner said.

"I'm sure AJ will be disappointed. He'd be disappointed with that ball any time in a game.

"I hope that doesn't take away from how well James Vince played, he was brilliant."

The Sixers had a second win on Saturday night, when Cricket Australia confirmed the SCG will host the season decider regardless of the Sixers' opposition.

The Scorchers have been given the green light to host their semi-final, against either Sydney Thunder or Brisbane Heat, at Optus Stadium on Thursday night.

Vince made Perth pay for putting down chances he offered on four and 23.

Vince brought up his half-century when a scrambling Jhye Richardson failed to stop a six, although it would be tough to call it a dropped catch.

Philippe, who earned man-of-the-match honours in last year's final, produced a classy knock after dropping a costly catch that helped Josh Inglis (69 not out) lift Perth to 6-167.

The dashing keeper-batsman set the tone at the start of the chase.

Philippe scored 13 runs off Richardson's opening over of the innings, flicking a 148.3 km/h bouncer from the BBL's leading wicket-taker over the leg-side rope.

Sydney's victory equation was 78 runs from 67 balls after Philippe's dismissal, leaving Perth with limited room for error as they attempted to build pressure on Vince.

Earlier, Jordan Silk lived up to his reputation as one of the BBL's best fielders by calmly pocketing catches on the rope to remove dangerous batsmen Turner (33) and Colin Munro (30).

with AAP

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