Photo Credit: Sydney Thunder
Fast bowler returns to Thunder for WBBL|08
“It’s great to be back home to help Thunder, so, yes, I’m very excited to be here!”
With that, fast bowler Belinda Vakarewa announced her return to Sydney Thunder where she will boost the western-Sydney based club’s bowling stocks throughout the Weber Women’s Big Bash League campaign.
WBBL|08 Tickets on sale now! Adult tickets just $10 and Kids go FREE with a valid ticket.
Vakarewa – who was a member of the Thunder squad that won the inaugural WBBL competition – left Sydney to play for the Hobart Hurricanes in 2019.
And now she is back in Thunder’s distinctive green strip, this proud product of Campbeltown in Sydney’s south-west, said it was her plan to inject her experience into the Trevor Griffin-coached bowling attack.
“I learnt a lot in Hobart,” said the 24-year-old, who has captured 56 WBBL wickets. “I grew a lot as a player while I was in Tasmania, and I want to bring a bit of experience to Thunder.
“I really benefited from my time down there by experiencing different situations, and I’ll want to do my best to help the team out with that.”
Vakarewa, who represented Australia against Sri Lanka in 2017, said she was determined to learn from her new teammates.
“It’s wonderful to be back home, and I’m thrilled because we have a lot of exciting players in the team – a lot of athletes – and I’m very keen to see how they work and operate.
“Now I’m back, I’m wanting to have fun while I do my best.”
Coach Trevor Grifin said he was ecstatic to have Vakarewa back on Thunder’s roster, saying her skill would add a lot to Thunder’s WBBL|08 squad.
“What attracted me to Belinda was her approach towards the fast-bowling craft, and her obvious skill,” said Griffin.
“She is continuing to get better, and I see her as a great operator, and I’m looking forward to working with Belinda.”
Sydney Thunder WBBL|08 Squad
Head Coach: Trevor Griffin
Contracted Players: Rachael Haynes (c), Samantha Bates, Tammy Beaumont, Hannah Darlington, Jess Davidson, Corinne Hall, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Amy Jones, Anika Learoyd, Phoebe Litchfield, Olivia Porter, Lauren Smith, Chloe Tryon, Belinda Vakarewa, Tahlia Wilson
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 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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