Sixers host Renegades at SCG to launch quest for BBL redemption
The Sixers were outplayed in last season’s BBL final – but their shot at redemption starts at the SCG on Monday night, amid a stellar month of Sydney events. SEE WHAT’S ON
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Fans can expect to see plenty of familiar faces when the Sixers launch their Big Bash season at the SCG on December 16.
The magenta side has barely changed since it fell one win short of the title last season – and a host of stars have recommitted long-term in the off-season.
Among them are superstar Steve Smith, who has signed for another three seasons and is expected to be available for at least three matches in BBL|14. The club’s player of the tournament from last season, Ben Dwarshuis, has committed for another two seasons, alongside Sean Abbott, Todd Murphy and Josh Philippe.
Pace bowler Dwarshuis – who is one of several one-club players on the Sixers list, alongside Smith and skipper Moises Henriques – said the group had spoken about staying together to chase more BBL success in the form of a fourth title. They fell 54 runs of achieving this last season, going down to the Brisbane Heat in the final.
“We’ve created an environment where people want to be here,” the 30-year-old said. “They’re not looking elsewhere for better opportunities or more money, they’re happy where they are and enjoying their cricket.
“That’s really been led by Moises. Since BBL|1 he’s been at this club and he had a real focus on creating that environment and culture to have players want to come back. Steve Smith, for example, he loves coming back to play even with the jam-packed schedule he has over summer.
“We’re a club that get around each other and want to see each other succeed.”
The Sixers will kick off their season against the Melbourne Renegades.
Dwarshuis expected a good contest, highlighting big-hitting Renegades Jake Fraser-McGurk and Josh Brown as posing a particular danger to his Sixers.
“Starting at our home ground gives us a nice advantage, though,” he said. “We understand that ground really nicely and we’ve got amazing fans, they’re always nice and loud.
“Hopefully we can see plenty of them there on the 16th and we can start the season off with a win.”
In addition to stellar cricket, fans who come along will be treated to DJ performances, fireworks and plenty of other entertainment.
One notable out for the Sixers this season is retired spinner Steve O’Keefe. But Dwarshuis is confident his side has recruited well to fill his void.
This included poaching West Indian left-arm finger spinner Akeal Hosein – the world’s fourth-highest-ranked men’s T20I bowler – from the Renegades and picking up young English legspinner Jafer Chohan.
Dwarshuis himself will be looking to replicate his stellar BBL|13 form, which saw him take 17 poles to be the Sixers’ leading wicket taker.
He said he was fit and firing after a pectoral strain cruelly cut short his one-day international debut for Australia at Trent Bridge in September.
“I’ve thought about (my form last season) a fair bit,” he said. “I think I just found myself very clear on what I was trying to achieve when I had the ball in hand. When you’re clear on that, you’re 100 per cent committed to the to the ball that you’re trying to bowl. Having that can really make a difference.
“A big focus of mine (this season) is to make sure I’m executing those skills at high-pressure moments again.”
The Sydney Sixers will take on the Melbourne Renegades at the SGC, 7.15pm on December 16. Tickets available from $30 for adults, $20 for concession, $8 for juniors and $60 for families via Ticketek.
WHAT’S ON IN SYDNEY?
United Cup tennis
Be in the stands at Ken Rosewall Arena to see team Australia – featuring Alex de Minaur, Olivia Gadecki, Omar Jasika, Destanee Aiava and doubles stars Matt Ebden and Ellen Perez – take on top seeds from around the world at the third edition of the United Cup. The international hard-court tournament sees mixed-gender teams go head-to-head, with ATP and WTA ranking points and big prizemoney on the line. It will be held from December 27 to January 5, with Australia playing Argentina on December 28 and Great Britain on New Year’s Day.
Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru
Visitors have the opportunity to come face-to-face with more than 130 ancient artefacts – including jewellery, funerary objects from royal tombs and one of the most impressive gold collections to tour the globe – at this exhibition at the Australian Museum. The showcase combines these priceless artefacts with a virtual reality experience to offer a glimpse into the opulent history of the Andean people. It is now open, until February 2025.
australian.museum/exhibition/machu-picchu
Cirque du Soleil’s Luzia
Be transported to a surrealist Mexico by highly skilled Cirque du Soleil performers, as they put on the most ambitious show in the company’s history. Luzia literally makes it rain under the Big Top at Moore Park, and attendees will also be wowed by a jaw-droppingly flexible contortionist, a juggler with second-to-none hand-eye coordination, athletic trapeze artists and more. See it until February 9.
Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
Considered one of the most difficult yacht races in the world, this annual event kicks off in Sydney on Boxing Day and finishes in Hobart a couple of days later. The race has grown to become one of the most famous fixtures on the international sporting calendar, showcasing a diverse and competitive fleet against the picturesque backdrop of the Sydney Harbour. Onlookers can gather at the Sydney Race Village for Family Day on December 26 to watch highlights of the broadcast and follow the live tracker.
Feast of football
A Western Sydney Wanderers double-header will light up Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium on December 14, with the A-League Women’s side taking on Western United FC at 4.50pm, followed by the men facing Brisbane Roar at 7.35pm. Both Sydney FC sides also play home games this weekend, with the men lining up against Western United at Allianz Stadium from 5pm on December 14 and the women facing the Newcastle Jets at Leichhardt Oval at 5pm on December 15.
MCA Collection: Artists in Focus
Showcasing a variety of works that have been acquired by the Museum of Contemporary Art since 1989, Artists in Focus offers the opportunity to appreciate shared and varied concerns, materials and approaches to contemporary art in Australia from across different generations and cultures. The exhibition features paintings, sculptures, installations and video works by artists including Brook Andrew, Joan Brassil, Maree Clarke, David Noonan, Leyla Stevens and Esme Timbery. It runs until January 27.
mca.com.au/exhibitions/mca-collection-artists-in-focus
NBL: Sydney Kings v Brisbane Bullets
Brian Goorjian’s men are expected to go in as favourites when they take on the Bullets at Qudos Bank Arena from 4.30pm on December 15. The same goes for the Sydney Flames – captained by Opals veteran Cayla George – who will face the bottom-of-the-table Adelaide Lightning in an important WNBL clash at Quaycentre, at Sydney Olympic Park, the following weekend from 12.30pm on December 22.
TITANIQUE
This irreverent take on blockbuster Hollywood movie Titanic features powerhouse voices and showstopping numbers set to the music of pop icon Celine Dion – including I Drove All Night and of course, My Heart Will Go On. Presented by Michael Cassel Group, the off-Broadway musical turns one of the greatest love stories of all time into a joyful party aboard “the Ship of Dreams”. It made its Australian debut at The Grand Electric in Surry Hills and will be showing until January 19.
Originally published as Sixers host Renegades at SCG to launch quest for BBL redemption
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