Image Credit- BCCI
Ben Dwarshuis, a fast bowler, attributed his recent
success to playing T20I cricket for Australia. Dwarshuis went on to score a
career-best 5 for 21 in order to lead the Sydney Sixers into the BBL final.
The 29-year-old’s 39-run victory over Brisbane Heat in
the Gold Coast qualifying final on Friday was his greatest result in 105 BBL
outings for the Sixers.
In two Twenty20 Internationals for Australia against
India in December, Dwarshuis grabbed five wickets with his left-arm seamers.
Ever since making a comeback to the BBL, he has consistently taken wickets.
“In India, I just think how calm the environment
is in the Aussie set-up at the moment was really nice,” Dwarshuis said.
“It was easy to slide in and be clear on your
roles and execute. Going to India, who are the powerhouses of T20 cricket, and
putting in a few good performances there a few weeks out from the BBL let me
start the tournament with plenty of confidence. Fortunately, I’ve been able to
keep that form going. One more game, and hopefully it keeps going.”
The Sixers, who don’t have a single player on the
tournament roster, will host the BBL final at the SCG on Wednesday.
Dwarshuis remarked that rather than being interpreted
negatively, it was a reflection of the culture that coach Greg Shipperd and
captain Moises Henriques had established.
“We don’t have anyone in the team of the
tournament, but if there was a second or third team of the tournament most of
our squad would be in there,” Dwarshuis said. “We are a team where
everybody stands up when they need to. We don’t just rely on one or two players
game-in and game-out.
“Everyone has made great contributions throughout
the BBL and when you get in pressure moments that’s a really important thing to
have in your team. It’s a great trait and one of the reasons why the Sixers
have been so successful the last few years.”