One change to 13-player squad for Saturday night showdown at SCG
Chris Green said he and Sydney Thunder’s fellow spin bowlers, Arjun Nair and Jonathan Cook, have embraced a motto that’s provided the KFC Big Bash League team with an edge in the build up to Saturday’s derby against the Sydney Sixers at the SCG.
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“We like to think of our roles in the team as ‘spin to win’,” said Green, who signed a deal before the start of BBL|09 that will keep him at Sydney Thunder until the end of BBL|13.
“The three of us like to think we complement each other really well, but we also have an understanding that we’re different bowlers to one another – and that helps.
“Each of us believe we can add value to the team, and its been exciting to see the contribution we can make. While I think spin helped us win our first two games, it was pleasing to see the pace attack lead the way against Adelaide in Canberra because it shows we have a rounded attack.”
Thunder’s next challenge is the Sydney Smash against the Sixers, and Green said he’s determined to help the team representing Sydney’s western suburbs improve on it’s five derby victories to the Sixers’ 10.
“This is a BBL match anyone in Sydney looks forward to because there is always typically a great crowd and tremendous contest,” he said.
“Sydney Thunder and the Sixers have built a great rivalry over the years. Most of the players know one another [from their involvement in NSW cricket]… and I’ve always viewed this match as though I’m playing against my brother. What I mean by that is while you don’t have a sense of ‘hatred’ while competing against them, you certainly don’t want to lose.”
Thunder’s squad returns from their Christmas break determined to build upon the momentum that catapulted them to lead the competition ladder after their opening three matches, despite the match against Adelaide in Canberra being abandoned due to smoke from the bushfires.
“The most pleasing thing about our start to the season is that we’ve had different players put their hands up and contribute to each game,” said Green. “That means we’re not relying on one or two guys to perform because we’ve had different players perform.”
Nathan McAndrew was ruled out of selection for the match against the Sixers due to illness; fast bowler Gurinder Sandhu is progressing well as he recovers from his calf strain, but he remains unavailable for selection.
BBL Squad vs Sydney Sixers on Saturday 27 December
Callum Ferguson (C) (12)
Jonathan Cook (50)
Brendan Doggett (35)
Matthew Gilkes (22)
Chris Green (93)
Alex Hales (6)
Liam Hatcher (19)
Usman Khawaja (18)
Chris Morris (24)
Arjun Nair (7)
Alex Ross (49)
Daniel Sams (60)
Chris Tremain (20)
