Photo Credit: Sydney Thunder
England star Tammy Beaumont returns to Sydney Thunder
English opener Tammy Beaumont said she was “grateful” to have the opportunity to return to Sydney Thunder for this summer’s Weber Women’s Big Bash League competition and add to her “brilliant memories” of the club’s triumphant WBBL|06 campaign.
The 31-year-old, who’ll arrive in Sydney after topping the run scoring tally for the Welsh Fire in England’s popular The Hundred competition, revealed she leapt at the chance to return to Thunder Nation.
“I’ve obviously got brilliant memories of 2020,” said Beaumont upon signing her deal. “Not only did we win the competition, but the group of girls I got to spend day-in, day-out with… I just thought the camaraderie and team spirit was excellent.
“They made me feel so welcome. But, I’m sure there won’t be quite as many pranks as there was in the Sydney hub with [England skipper] Heather Knight losing her mattress a couple of times! An amazing experience, such fond memories.
“I had the best six weeks, even though it was a COVID bubble in the Sydney hub. I thought it was a great team to be a part of – a really good set up – and it’s an exciting opportunity for me to come back and play for the Thunder again.”
Click here to grab your tickets for WBBL|08 and BBL|12!
Coach Trevor Griffin acknowledged the high-octane energy Beaumont brought to Thunder’s squad was an important ingredient in the club’s championship victory. However, Beaumont said she wanted to offer even more to the ‘green team’ during WBBL|08.
“Maybe [I] didn’t perform the way I wanted to personally, but in terms of the team perspective and representing the Sydney Thunder it was such a great experience,” said Beaumont, who gained international acclaim as the star of England’s 2017 World Cup winning team.
“I’m very grateful to be back in the mix, and I’m happy to do anything the team needs at the time. We have a really good squad this year, so it’s just wherever I fit and wherever ‘Rach’ [captain Rachael Haynes] and the management team think is best suited for me and the team.”
Beaumont said she’d make it a priority to immerse herself even more in ‘Thunder Nation’, which is the community the club represents throughout Sydney’s western suburbs as well as the ACT and its surrounds.
“I’m excited to be back in the Thunder shirt and this time experience a little more what the Thunder Nation is about,” she said. “The last time I was here we were in the hub, but this time – hopefully – I’ll get out a bit more in the community and really connect with the fans.
“We were supported so well in Sydney last time but, for me, it would be great to get out and about a bit more.”
Trevor Griffin, the only coach to have guided T20 teams to the victor’s dais in Australia’s and England’s elite competitions, said Beaumont provided Thunder with some irresistible qualities.
“Tammy was part of our 2020 winning team,” said Griffin. “She has a wealth of international experience, and her vast bank of knowledge allows her to provide Rachael Haynes with some support out on the park,” said Griffin.
“She’s tremendous around the group, and I appreciate that Tammy is happy to share her knowledge with the players. Her recent experience with Welsh Fire in The Hundred will have only added to her leadership experience.
“It’s great for us to have Tammy back in Thunder’s colours, she offers the squad a lot.”
Sydney Thunder WBBL|08 Home Fixtures
Fri 14 Oct | Thunder v Hurricanes | Blacktown International Sportspark | 3:00pm
Sun 16 Oct | Thunder v Scorchers | Blacktown International Sportspark | 5:00pm
Tue 18 Oct | Hurricanes v Thunder | Blacktown International Sportspark | 7:05pm
Wed 2 Nov | Thunder v Sixers | Blacktown International Sportspark | 7:05pm
Tue 15 Nov | Thunder v Renegades | Manuka Oval | 7:10pm
Sun 20 Nov | Thunder v Strikers | North Sydney Oval | 5:15pm
Sydney Thunder WBBL|08 Squad
Head Coach: Trevor Griffin
Contracted Players: Rachael Haynes (c), Samantha Bates, Tammy Beaumont, Hannah Darlington, Jess Davidson, Phoebe Litchfield, Olivia Porter, Lauren Smith, Tahlia Wilson
