Dwarshuis hits Sixers to last-ball win in BBL

It was a short stay for Sam Konstas who was bowled for a duck against the Sixers. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Ben Dwarshuis has again proven the Sydney Sixers unlikely hero with the bat, coming in late to lead them to a final-ball win over the Thunder.

On the same night Sam Konstas was bowled for a duck in his last innings before a likely Boxing Day Test debut, Dwarshuis hit the Sixers home at Engie Stadium on Saturday.

Chasing 164 for victory, the Sixers looked shot when they needed 47 from the final four overs.

Ben Dwarshuis
Ben Dwarshuis of the Sixers celebrates hitting the winning runs against the Thunder.

But Jordan Silk (36no from 25) helped them take 17 from a Nathan McAndrew over, before Dwarshius provided the late heroics with 20no from eight balls.

After launching Lockie Ferguson for six from the first ball he faced, the Sixers quick then took charge with 15 needed from Chris Green's final over.

Green's first three balls were hard to get away but he was hurt by two straight wides outside off.

Then with seven needed from two balls, Dwarshuis smashed Green over the long-on rope for six, before taking a quick single off the last ball to seal the win.

It came after Dwarshuis also hit 14no from six on Monday night to help the Sixers beat the Melbourne Renegades.

"One of the attitudes we have in this team is to win from any position," Dwarshuis said.

"Coming in first ball is something in my role I practice, trying to hit the first one for six. So it was nice to do it tonight, especially against Lockie, one of the world's best."

Earlier, Cameron Bancroft hit an unbeaten 70 from 52 balls to help the Thunder reach 5-163.

Favoured to return to the Test team a few months ago, Bancroft has been overtaken by both Konstas and Nathan McSweeney this summer with only three scores above 20 in 18 innings before Saturday.

But he looked back in good touch against the Sixers, taking to spinner Joel Davies and peppering the backward-square boundary off Dwarshuis.

His innings helped keep the Thunder's innings together, as Oliver Davies also banged 47 from 34 for the hosts and hit three straight sixes off Todd Murphy.

Cameron Bancroft.
Cameron Bancroft smashes a six in an innings which demonstrated he was back to his best.

Meanwhile, the duck for Konstas came in what will be his last innings before a likely Test debut at the MCG on Boxing Day.

Playing for the first time since being called into Australia's Test squad, Konstas went to cut a shot ball from Akeal Hosein and bottom-edged onto his stumps.

Konstas said axed Test opener Nathan McSweeney had been among the first to congratulate him, following an initial call from chief selector George Bailey.

"I was so thrilled and called my parents straight away, and they were very emotional," Konstas said on Fox's BBL coverage.

"Mum was in tears, so I was trying not to cry. Dad was super proud. It’s been an amazing journey with all the ups and downs.

"I’m very excited. I want to be challenged and I’ve got a few plans against India's bowlers. I feel like I’m moving really nicely so hopefully I get that opportunity."

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store