‘We can win from any position’: Clutch king Ben Dwarshuis reveals the mental edge the Sixers have over BBL rivals

The Sixers might not have the most stacked squad, but they boast a secret weapon that none of their BBL rivals can match.

The belief that they can win from any position is one of the reasons why the Sixers have been one of the most dominant teams in BBL history, and it’s something that Ben Dwarshuis hopes can rattle opponents if the game comes down to the wire as it did in the Sydney Smash on the weekend.

Dwarshuis was the hero in the epic final-ball win over the Thunder, with his six on the penultimate delivery tying things up before he sealed the result with a single when it looked like the Thunder would cruise to victory only a few overs earlier.

The Sixers have been the kings of narrow wins with a tight victory over the Renegades in their first game having won a couple of thrillers last season by one run and another with a boundary off the final ball.

Skipper Moises Henriques has often been the man to come up with a clutch knock, while coach Greg Shipperd has also helped build a winning culture.

Ben Dwarshuis you absolute machine!

What a way to win the game. #BBL14pic.twitter.com/lsJ5ajkwss

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 21, 2024

“One of the attitudes we have in this team is that we can win from any position,” said Dwarshuis who whacked his first ball for six off Lockie Ferguson just days after he belted a 108-metre monster at the SCG with the game in the balance.

“Until it’s mathematically not possible then you’ve got to have the belief that you can get out there and get the job done.

“A lot of it has got to do with ‘Moey’ and ‘Shippy’ and the culture they’ve created. Everybody goes out there knowing that they’re completely backed.

“We train hard and tick all the boxes away from the game so it’s about going out there and trusting that you’ve done the work.”

There are plenty of teams around the world who struggle when the lights are brightest, but it’s something the Sixers relish and see as something they can exploit with the game on the line.

“Any little edge you can get in a game that can be 50-50 at times is a big advantage,” Dwarshuis said.

“If we’re making teams stress out in the field because they know that we’re going to keep coming and keep trying to win the game then that’s only going to benefit us if their batters or bowlers don’t hold their nerve at the end.

“It might only be a little one-percenter, but in this game you’re searching for any advantage.”

Joel Davies says the Sixers are still hurting from their loss in last season’s final. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Saturday’s win also saw Joel Davies earn bragging rights over his brother Ollie who was forced to buy him a double cheeseburger and six nuggets on the drive home.

He says the side is still stinging from their loss to the Heat in last season’s final and that they won’t take the winless Stars lightly when they meet at the SCG on Boxing Day.

Another big crowd is expected on Thursday with average attendances for the opening week sitting at 17,380 per game which is up from 13,637 at the same time last year, while ratings on Fox Cricket are up 26 per cent year-on-year, with Sunday’s match attracting more viewers (933,000) on the two networks than every game outside of last season’s final.

“They probably haven’t started as well as they would have liked, but we know the firepower that they have so they can take it away from anyone,” Davies said.

“It should be a really good game. Boxing Day is always one of the best days to watch cricket with the Test on all day. We have the live show here on the big screen if you want to get down early, and then it’s on to the main show.”

Originally published as ‘We can win from any position’: Clutch king Ben Dwarshuis reveals the mental edge the Sixers have over BBL rivals