Abbott erases ghosts of New Year's past

While his side failed to overturn their New Year's Eve hoodoo, Sean Abbott's stunning bowling performance on Saturday evening was a crucial performance for the young Sydney Sixers quick.

That's because images of Travis Head's unstoppable century from the corresponding game in the last edition of the tournament pop up in Abbott's head every time he takes to the practice nets.

With the Strikers needing an improbable 51 to win off the final three overs of that memorable BBL|05 clash, Head unleashed on Abbott, hitting 4, 6, 4, 6, 6, 1  to take him for 27 from the 18th over.

The South Australian then put him over the fence three times in as many balls in the final over to seal his century and deliver a remarkable victory in front of a rapturous home crowd.