Photo Credit: Sydney Thunder
Fast bowler from Western Sydney returns home in blistering form
Former Australia ODI fast bowler Gurinder Sandhu described returning to Sydney Thunder to represent his hometown of Western Sydney in this summer’s KFC Big Bash League tournament as “returning home.”
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The 28-year-old fast bowler said re-joining the club where his BBL journey started after spending last summer with the Sydney Sixers was “awesome” and an opportunity that “excited” him.
“Anytime I think of home I do think of the Thunder, it’s awesome to be back here,” he said. “Family, friends, it’s where everyone’s from for me, personally.
“If I think of home I think of Western Sydney; if I think of western Sydney, I think of home; I think of Sydney Thunder I think of home – it’s all coming together very nicely.
“It feels awesome. This is where my Big Bash journey started in BBL|02. I’m very, very excited.”
Sandhu re-joins Thunder in great form after creating history as the only player in the history of Australia’s male domestic one day competition to take two hat-tricks when his most recent effort against South Australia catapulted Queensland to a stunning victory. In the Sheffield Shield match before that game at Adelaide Oval Sandhu finished with a six-wicket haul.
“I think I’m close to the best I’ve been mentally,” said Sandhu who represented Australia in 2015. “Going into a game whether it’s red ball Shield cricket, one day or T20 cricket, I’m at a very good space with my skills, knowledge and developing more.
“I’m 28 and coming into [what’s the] peak time for most cricketers. I’m set and primed and ready to go.”
He returns to Thunder after spending last summer with the championship winning Sydney Sixers. Sandhu described his time with Thunder’s arch-rivals as one in which he gave his best.
“It was different, especially to go to the Sixers who had been my rivals, and for the Thunder Nation,” he said. “It was very different, a bit weird, but as you do, you’re playing for that team at the time, and you give it your all; 100 percent commitment.
“It was awesome to win the title last year with the Sixers and hopefully I can bring some of that winning form to bring Sydney Thunder the title.”
Sandhu said he had one goal, and that was to “bring himself” to the squad.
“I just want to be myself, and bring that,” he said. “I can bring that and add some stuff, not only on field with the bowling and talking to other people but off the field as well… just bring myself and if I get to play some games then awesome, try and do the best I can and get back to some BBL form from past years.”
Thunder coach Trevor Bayliss said Sandhu has proven why he’ll be an important part of Sydney Thunder.
“I know Gurinder is happy to be home, he’s very passionate about the Thunder Nation,” said Bayliss. “He’s done extremely well for Queensland this summer, and everyone knows he’s determined to do the same for Thunder.”
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SYDNEY THUNDER BBL|11 HOME GAMES
Mon 6 Dec | V Brisbane Heat | 7:15pm | Manuka Oval
Sun 12 Dec | V Melbourne Stars | 7:15pm | Sydney Showground Stadium
Sun 26 Dec | V Sydney Sixers | 6:05pm | Sydney Showground Stadium
Tues 28 Dec | V Perth Scorchers | 7:15pm | Manuka Oval
Sun 2 Jan | V Adelaide Strikers | 7:15pm | Sydney Showground Stadium
Thurs 13 Jan | V Hobart Hurricanes | 4:00pm | Sydney Showground Stadium
Wed 19 Jan | V Melbourne Renegades | 4:40pm | Sydney Showground Stadium
