It was a clash of the titans at Drummoyne Oval on Sunday in the Sixers first trial match with our expected "first team" split to help fill both the Sixers and SCG XI sides.
While the likes of Brett Lee and Doug Bollinger lining up for the SCG XI against Cowan, Lumb and Henriques provided the headline act, it was a Sixers rookie who earned the praises of teammates for his efforts as he auditioned for the big stage.
Asked after the match who impressed during the hit out, Sixers squad captain Moises Henriques did not hesitate to name young left-arm quick Ben Dwarshuis.
“I was really happy with Ben Dwarshuis. He did well in the Sixers Academy games and he’s done well again here tonight,” said Henriques.
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Similarly, Man of the Match Jordan Silk who blasted 72 from 45 deliveries in a game defining knock signalled out the same man for praise.
“I thought Benny Dwarshuis bowled really well with the new ball for us, he was outstanding. Then with the old ball he was hitting his Yorkers and was quite impressive.”
Dwarshuis, 20 and from the Sutherland Shire, has been on the rookie list with the NSW Blues for two seasons now, but has missed large chunks of cricket, including the entire BBL|03 season with the Sixers due to injury. He is tall, growing in strength, and also boasts the ability to clear the rope when he bats, making him an useful part of any T20 side.
A preseason setback again threatened to derail his BBL|04 campaign, but after representing the Sixers Academy with aplomb and working his way back to the full-run up, he appears to be finding form at the right time of the year.
The last time he was at Drummoyne Oval, he took five wickets including a hat trick for the Academy, while on Sunday he bowled with great pace and control at the ground again to finish with match best figures of 3-24 from his four overs. Those figures may have been even better if he wasn’t belted for a six and four by Brett Lee with the final two deliveries of the match.
With an action often likened to that of Mitchell Johnson, Dwarshuis could be in line for his first taste of BBL cricket if he continues to impress his teammates and coaching staff. And when he does make it, there’s no doubt from those around him that he’ll belong, and soon dominate.