STALWARTS BIG PART OF SIXERS’ SUCCESS STORY
IN the transient world of T20 cricket, when teammates blow in and out like the wind, it is significant that the Sydney Sixers have their class of 2011 back together again.
Steve Smith, Moises Henriques and Steve O’Keefe were part of the first Sixers side that won the Big Bash 12 years ago, and are now suiting up again in pursuit of a record-equalling fourth league title.
O’Keefe is now 38, but he is still the first spinner chosen for the Sixers and is being urged by teammates to go around again next year.
Henriques has been the Sixers’ leader for a large portion of the past decade and has been the man around whom the club has built itself.
Smith was the captain of that championship-winning team in year one of the BBL and, even though he has not always been available because of the international calendar, he has dedicated himself to the club and refused to play anywhere else.
The connection of the three foundation Sixers from day one to now has given the club a backbone that is the envy of every other Big Bash team, except Perth.
“At the club the connection goes back 12 years, but for me personally and SOK (O’Keefe) and Steve, the connection actually goes back almost 15-20 years,” Henriques, 35, said.
“The first time I played against Steve in junior cricket was when I was 15 and he might have been 13.
“It was a long, long time ago – 20 years.”
Last year Cricket Australia banned Smith from playing in the Big Bash unless he made himself available in a player pool where he could technically be picked up by any club.
The Test star refused, only wanting to play for the Sixers.
Australian duties have limited Smith’s involvement, but not his investment.
“Our connection is quite strong both on and off the field, and the same could be said for a lot of our players with Steve,” Henriques said.
“And I don’t think it’s just because he’s played with us for 12 years. But even the years where he hasn’t been present in person he still annoys everyone with text messages and stuff like that after games. He’s very much invested in the group and I think everyone feels that and really enjoys his company when he comes back.”
Coach Greg Shipperd has led the Sixers to the most recent two of their three premierships, but said the founding stars including Smith, Henriques and O’Keefe deserved much credit for the club’s culture of success.
“I guess it reminds me of the best teams,” Shipperd said.
“They generally have a strong lineage of players and experience, and in those three certainly we’re very lucky to have their historical perspective of the group, with great pride in itself and who they represent
“None of that’s changed. Along with the addition of a lot of new faces along the way.
“When those players are playing and playing well, we’re a pretty powerful team.
“But the competition is tough at the moment and all possibilities can win the title.”