Sean Abbott has continued his push for a World Cup berth, picking up two key scalps in the Sydney Sixers’ eight-wicket Big Bash League win over the Melbourne Renegades.

Abbott continued his purple patch by taking 2-20 off four overs as he helped restrict the Renegades to 7-154 before Nic Maddinson (84no off 54) guided the home team over the line off 18.4 overs at the SCG.

The 22-year-old dismissed Aaron Finch (20 off 18) and Dwayne Bravo (22 off 16) just as both threatened to push the Renegades into a commanding position in front of 12,789 fans on Friday night.

Wade (35 off 18) and Aaron Finch combined to get the Renegades off to a flying start, with the visitors reaching 1-68 in the seventh over before Abbott stemmed the tide when he had the national T20 captain caught on the boundary.

Bravo looked ominous when he plundered back-to-back sixes off Doug Bollinger before Abbott snared the wicket of the West Indies allrounder with the first ball of his third over.

It was the second time in a week Abbott had starred with the ball at the ground after he took eight wickets – including 6-14 in the second innings – for NSW in their Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland.

Callum Ferguson (40 off 32) top scored for Melbourne however Abbott and veteran paceman Brett Lee, who provided an excellent spell of death bowling to finish with 2-21, restricted the Renegades to a modest total.

It was a welcome return to cricket for Maddinson, after he sat out NSW’s last Shield clash because he was still grieving the death of teammate Phillip Hughes.

He blasted four fours and six sixes in a commanding display which ensured the Sixers’ run chase was never really in doubt.

After being dropped from the Australian side for the Brisbane Test, Renegades paceman Peter Siddle took 0-29 off three overs.

MORE TO COME