Ollie and Joel Davies put McDonalds meal on the line as their Sydney Sixers and Thunder prepare to meet in the Smash

The Davies brothers - Ollie and Joel - might be about to face off in the Sydney Smash but get them together and they’re back to being the kids in the backyard with a Maccas meal on the line.

The Davies backyard in Sydney’s northern beaches has seen its fair share of battles over the years.

With a net in place to protect the windows – and limit the need for a six-and-out rule – the freshly taped tennis ball would be targeted at the stumps and no one would be safe.

“I’d come off the long run when I used to bowl pretty quick back in the day,” Ollie Davies said.

“I’d bounce Joel a few times and then he’d drop the bat and go run inside, and have a little whinge. I swear that happened.”

Unsurprisingly, Joel refutes the claims.

The Davies brothers are preparing for just their third game on opposing sides in this week’s Sydney Smash. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images for Cricket Australia

But those skirmishes laid the foundations for two burgeoning cricket careers. Ollie, 24, and Joel, 21, are both well-established domestic cricketers with the elder brother already selected for various representative teams including the Prime Minister’s XI.

The siblings have rarely had to play against each other. Not even Christmas saw them renew their battles in the backyard this summer where the main concern is worrying about the side-arm being thrown so hard that it hits the neighbour’s house.

“Joel doesn’t come out the back anymore,” Ollie says. “He’s too good for it.”

Joel Davies has worked his way into the Sixers’ plans as they eye off top spot. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

However, for just the third time the pair will be on opposing sides this Friday. The second Sydney Smash of the season will see the Sixers and Thunder battle it out at the SCG in front of a likely sold-out crowd.

Joel moved across town from the Thunder before last season and has found a place in the Sixers’ line-up as a bowling all-rounder.

It’ll be a far cry from their days with the taped-up ball as they prepare to slog it out in front of 40,000 fans, but with both sides already locked in for finals and top spot potentially there for the taking, there’s more than just bragging rights up for grabs.

Davies’ season has been interrupted by injury and illness, but he and the Thunder are ready for a title charge. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“I think (2023) was the first time I’d played against him in a game and the first time facing him,” Ollie said. “It was a pretty weird experience.

“It was surreal because I didn’t want to get out to him, but I also didn’t want to bump him either because I felt bad. It was a weird experience because I want to see Joel do well, but I obviously want to win the game.

“Coming into the start of the season, knowing it’s both our last games, I was thinking in the back of my head that if both are in the hunt for finals hopefully we’ll get a pretty good turnout.

“The SCG never fails to have a good turnout when the Thunder come and play there. But especially if we’re playing for a second or third spot and Sixers are going for first, it’ll be a pretty good atmosphere.”

The brothers are set to have their own fast-food wager on Friday’s match. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images for Cricket Australia

In case either player is in desperate need of added motivation, the brothers will likely have their own, legal, wager on the outcome of the game.

The standard Maccas run on the way back home to the northern beaches becomes a chance to debrief and unwind. And when both have the same order – a large double cheeseburger meal, with the pickles and onions taken off, as well as six nuggets – it’s an extra $21 they’re happy to put on the line.

“We’ll get Maccas on the way home now whenever we play each other, it’s a bit of a tradition,” Joel said.

“It would be KFC if it was still open, but it shuts at 10 o’clock. Maccas is open until 12.30,” Ollie added.

“So, he’ll be buying me dinner this time.”