Photo Credit: Sydney Thunder
Sydney Thunder acting captain Chris Green has welcomed David Warner to the KFC Big Bash League’s team ahead of tomorrow night’s match against Perth Scorchers at Sydney Showground Stadium.
Warner, who was named the best player from either team of the recently completed Test series against South Africa, returns to Sydney Thunder a decade after his last outing with the club that represents western Sydney.
His outings for Thunder in BBL|01 and 03 allowed Warner to forge a formidable record after he scored a century in his first knock and a half century in his second. When he takes strike in his club’s distinctive green, Warner will do so with a Thunder BBL average of 152 and a colossal strike rate of 185.36.
“We’re very excited to have David join us,” said Green. “His experience, allied with the threat he poses to any bowling attack when he’s at the crease in our upcoming five games, will fill the holes left by Alex Hales and, potentially, Rilee Rossouw.
“Thunder has a lot of [young] batters who’ll want to learn from him, and I have no doubt his presence could help us ‘spark’ and get a top two or three spot.”
While Warner, who’s crowning moment of the series against South Africa was his double century at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, is expected to add extra clout to Thunder’s batting, Green said the Australia opener was joining a line-up that has been performing well.
“We are excited to have David at Thunder,” said Green. “But no-one is putting unrealistic expectations on him.”
Head of Thunder Andrew Gilchrist said Warner’s return to the club has already created a buzz throughout Thunder Nation.
“It’s incredibly exciting to have a player of David Warner’s calibre return to Thunder, and, indeed the Big Bash League,” said Gilchrist.
“He’s a great player, a great person, and a great family man. Thunder Nation can’t wait to see him light up the Sydney Showground Stadium, Manuka Oval and everywhere else we play during our run home.”
Sydney Thunder squad v Perth Scorchers
Ben Cutting, Joel Davies, Oliver Davies, Brendan Doggett, Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green (c), Baxter Holt, Blake Nikitaras, Nathan McAndrew, Ross Pawson, Usman Qadir, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, David Warner, Sam Whiteman.
Thunder play Perth Scorchers at 6.30pm (AEDT) at Sydney Showground Stadium on Friday 13 January. The match will be broadcast live by Fox Cricket and Kayo.
Sydney Thunder BBL|12 Squad
Head Coach: Trevor Bayliss
Contracted Players: Ben Cutting, Joel Davies, Ollie Davies, Brendan Doggett, Matthew Gilkes, Toby Gray, Chris Green, Alex Hales, Baxter Holt, Nathan McAndrew, Blake Nikitaras, Ross Pawson, Usman Qadir, Alex Ross, Rilee Rossouw, Daniel Sams, Gurinder Sandhu, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, David Warner, Sam Whiteman.
Sydney Thunder BBL|12 Home Fixtures
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
