Photo Credit: Sydney Thunder
Two new faces join the Thunder Nation for BBL|12
David Willey and Rilee Rossouw will pull on the lime green for the first time, while Alex Hales will return to the Sydney Thunder for KFC BBL|12 after they were selected by the club in the BBL’s first ever Overseas Player Draft in Melbourne last night.
Thunder had the second last – or seventh pick – in the first two rounds of the Draft, and took aim at experienced all-rounder Willey, the only one of the 12 Platinum players in the Draft who had declared his availability for the entire summer.
In round two they ensured Hales – one of the Thunder Nation’s all-time favourites – returned to Sydney, before jumping on South African top-order left-handed batter Rossouw in round three.
“I think it’s a fantastic competition,” said Willey.
“There’s obviously a lot of cricket on at that time of year but I just feel that the Big Bash is a good fit for me this year. My family are going to join me, and we’ll have a couple months in Australia so I’m really looking forward to it.
“I played for the Scorchers when they won it, but I missed the final which was disappointing so hopefully this year I can go the full distance with the Thunder.
“I’ve worked with Trevor Bayliss previously so looking forward to working with him again. He completely takes all the pressure away and creates a great environment for you to go out and play the style of cricket you want to play.
“I think we’ve got a great side and if you get guys in form throughout that period, I think we’ll go a long way.”
The first overall pick was owned by the Melbourne Renegades, who selected English power hitter Liam Livingstone.
Then the Stars, picking second, plonked for Rashid Khan, before they were gazumped by the Strikers who used their retention pick to wrest the star Afghani back to Adelaide.
Forced to pick again after the Strikers grabbed Khan, the Stars went for Kiwi fast bowler Trent Boult.
Next the Heat snared former Thunder star Sam Billings, with the men in lime green electing not to use their retention pick on the keeper/batter.
The Sixers then picked Chris Jordan, the Strikers had Khan in the bag and the defending champion Scorchers passed on their round one selection before Trevor Bayliss and team got their man.
For the full results of the BBL|12 Overseas Player Draft, click HERE.
The Thunder can now look to sign foreign players not selected in the Draft as Overseas Replacement Players based on their nominated availabilities in the Draft.
Sydney Thunder BBL|12 Squad
Head Coach: Trevor Bayliss
Contracted Players: Ollie Davies, Brendan Doggett, Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Alex Hales, Baxter Holt, Nathan McAndrew, Rilee Rossouw, Daniel Sams, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, David Warner, David Willey
Sydney Thunder BBL|12 Home Fixtures
Tue 13 Dec | Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Stars | Manuka Oval | 7:15pm
Fri 16 Dec | Sydney Thunder v Adelaide Strikers | Sydney Showground Stadium | 8:15pm
Tue 27 Dec | Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat | Sydney Showground Stadium | 7:15pm
Sat 31 Dec | Sydney Thunder v Hobart Hurricanes | Lavington Sports Ground | 3:30pm
Sun 8 Jan | Sydney Thunder v Sydney Sixers | Sydney Showground Stadium | 7:15pm
Fri 13 Jan | Sydney Thunder v Perth Scorchers | Sydney Showground Stadium | 6:30pm
Thu 19 Jan | Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Renegades | Manuka Oval | 7:15pm
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