In a gripping encounter at the Sydney Showground Stadium, the Sydney Sixers edged out Sydney Thunder by 5 wickets in Match 8 of the Big Bash League 2024-25. The match showcased exceptional individual performances, with Ben Dwarshuis standing out as the Player of the Match for his impactful all-round display.
Sydney Thunder set a challenging target after Ben Dwarshuis’s impressive spell
Opting to bowl first, the Sydney Sixers managed to restrict the Sydney Thunder to 163/5 in their 20 overs. The Thunder’s innings revolved around a composed 70 off 52 balls from Cameron Bancroft, who anchored the innings with 5 fours and 3 sixes. Oliver Davies chipped in with a crucial 47 off 34, smashing a six-laden knock. Despite their contributions, Thunder’s momentum was curtailed by some disciplined bowling from the Sixers.
Akeal Hosein (2/23) and Dwarshuis (2/26) were instrumental in breaking key partnerships, while Sean Abbott added one scalp to his tally. The Thunder’s lower middle order failed to accelerate, leaving them slightly short of a par score despite their solid top-order contributions.
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Sydney Sixers chase down the target in style with Dwarshuis providing finishing touch
The Sydney Sixers’ chase was marked by steady contributions from their batting lineup. Josh Philippe (35 off 27) and Jack Edwards (28 off 18) provided a strong start. Skipper Moises Henriques and James Vince contributed runs but failed to convert their starts into big scores.
The turning point came with Jordan Silk’s calculated 36 off 25, complemented by Dwarshuis’ late blitz. Dwarshuis hammered an unbeaten 20 off just 8 balls, including two massive sixes, to seal the victory with a ball to spare. The Thunder bowlers, led by Lockie Ferguson (2/32), fought valiantly but lacked the breakthroughs to halt the Sixers’ march.
Dwarshuis’ all-round heroics made him the star of the night. His disciplined bowling, yielding 2 key wickets for just 26 runs, set the tone for the Sixers. Later, his fearless batting under pressure ensured a thrilling finish, earning him the Player of the Match award.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Ben Dwarshuis does it again!!!!!! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/e0tGqBiKQJ
— Sydney Sixers (@SixersBBL) December 21, 2024
My name is Jordan “The Finisher” Silk and I continue to haunt the Sydney Thunder!
My name is Ben “The Tash” Dwarshuis and I continue to torment the Sydney Thunder!
Never let them go @SixersBBL 💖 pic.twitter.com/gUyQA4zZKi
— Karl Seed ⚡️ (@KarlSeed29) December 21, 2024
SIXERS win!!
Ben Dwarshuis, what a player!!! 20 runs of 8 deliveries!! pic.twitter.com/WMw3u35Ltt
— Karl Bradman (@kbplus2008) December 21, 2024
Ben Dwarshuis
What a hitting 🔥🔥
So much improvement in batting 💪— Tarun (@saddapunjab10) December 21, 2024
BEN DWARSHUIS UNLEASHES THE ZINGER!
Pegs obliterated! What a delivery! #BBL14 #BigBashLeague #Cricket #BenDwarshuis #Zingers #BowlerBrilliance #WicketAlert #BBLHighlights #CricketSkills pic.twitter.com/wKAM59ipOH— Ritu Jaipur (@Ritukd31) December 21, 2024
Ben Dwarshuis has taken a wicket in every game against the Thunder since the COVID Pandemic 😷🔥#bbl14 pic.twitter.com/81GB8l2a75
— Random Stats Guy (@randostatsguy) December 21, 2024
Ben Dwarshuis My Guy 🤝🤝🤝 #bbl #bbl14 #sixers
— Govinda Mishra (@Govindamishra9) December 21, 2024
Ben Dwarshuis 🔥🔥🔥
— Ritik (@smith___49) December 21, 2024
Ben dwarshuis brilliant finish for sixers
— Kartheek_Özil 🦁 (@Bareddykartheek) December 21, 2024
Only team that rules the Sydney Derby is @SixersBBL.it was truly nostalgic .What a fantastic win.Great game.Ben Dwarshuis and Jordan Silk 👏👏👏 brilliant finish from these two. #BigBash #BBL14 #BBL2024 #SydneySixers
— Ambati Karthik (@AmbatiKarthik7) December 21, 2024
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