Sydney Sixers beat Melbourne Renegades in Big Bash

The Sydney Sixers mounted the biggest successful run chase in their history to defeat the Melbourne Renegades by three wickets with seven balls remaining in their Big Bash League match on Wednesday.

The Renegades made 172-4 after being put in to bat by the Sixers, Chris Gayle top-scoring for the hosts with 46.

Michael Lumb (63) and Moises Henriques (62) put the visitors in a position to win the game, but the Sixers still had to survive a late wobble, losing four wickets for just 12 runs, before getting over the line.

Trent Lawford (6 not out) reached the boundary with a straight drive off Dwayne Bravo (0-22) to notch the winning runs alongside Sean Abbott (3 not out).

Earlier, Gayle plundered his 46 from 33 deliveries, including three fours and three sixes, before picking out Abbot at deep midwicket off Johan Botha (1-13).

Fellow West Indies star Bravo made 45 not out, ably assisted by Tom Beaton (41 not out).

The Sixers made a bad start to their run chase, losing Brad Haddin to a golden duck off the second ball of their innings, edging Chris Tremain (2-48) to Matthew Wade.

Surviving opener Lumb fared better than his partner, smashing five sixes and reaching the ropes four more times to make his 63 off just 35 balls. He was eventually out after edging Nathan Rimmington (4-26) to Wade in the 14th over.

Henriques contributed an important 62 from 38, including four fours and two sixes, before heaving Tremain up in the air, offering a simple enough catch to Tom Cooper.

Jordan Silk (14), dropped by Beaton on the boundary to allow a six, made a small but vital contribution, allowing Abbot and Lawford to wrap things up with an over to spare.

The win sees the Sixers move joint top of the table, level on four points with cross-city rivals Sydney Thunder as well as Adelaide Strikers, while the Renegades are fourth on two points.