Photo Credit: Sydney Thunder
Trevor Bayliss will be back at the helm of Sydney Thunder for a fourth season after re-signing with the Western Sydney club for KFC BBL|14.
The veteran mentor owns an impressive CV that includes winning the 50-over World Cup with England in 2019, IPL titles with the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012 and 2014, and a BBL crown with Thunder’s archrival Sydney Sixers in the inaugural season of the tournament in 2011-12.
He also coached the NSW Blues to Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup titles between 2004 and 2007.
This summer Bayliss is charged with lifting Thunder to a BBL title after a disappointing campaign in BBL|13 that saw the team finish at the bottom of the ladder.
Thunder made an early splash in the player market, snaring paceman Wes Agar for the next two seasons as part of a trade deal with the Adelaide Strikers. The deal, which also includes the trading of draft picks between the two clubs, will see Adelaide receive Thunder’s second round pick in the BBL|14 Draft, in exchange for Agar and the Strikers’ second round selection.
The club is also set to announce further big name signings in coming weeks.
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Bayliss is buoyant about his team climbing the ladder, noting the recruitment taking place and the solid core of players the club already has.
“The squad we are building looks good. We’ve recruited pretty well, and Thunder are just a good organisation to be involved with,” Bayliss said.
“I’ve been here three years and there is probably a little bit of unfinished business, I suppose. We’ve been working towards something over the last few years. I think with that and some of the recruitment we’ve done this year, we should be in a good position to win a number of games. Our ambition should be to win the tournament.
“We have a few very good young players in the likes of Ollie Davies and Tanveer Sangha, who are sort of making their way in the system. We’ve also got some great guys back that are probably a little bit later on in their careers, people like Chris Green, Nathan McAndrew and Daniel Sams, and I’m sure they’re looking forward to a successful season as well.”
Bayliss, who hails from Sydney’s west, also said it was important for Western Sydney to have their own club.
“I’m a Western Sydney guy, I’m still involved with the Penrith club out here in the west of Sydney, and there’s a lot of interest in Sydney Thunder,” he said.
“There are always people going to the games from out this way and asking questions about the club. Through Thunder being part of Western Sydney and closer to where they live, rather than having to go to the SCG they can get along to a Thunder match and watch their own team play high class cricket.”
Thunder General Manager Trent Copeland said Bayliss has been entrusted with creating a new era of success in Sydney’s west.
“TB comes with a great deal of experience and expertise and we expect him to lead the team on an upward trajectory this season,” Copeland said.
“It’s no secret that the performances last season were unacceptable, so improvements across the board are required and expected this summer.
“We have recommitted to Western Sydney with four matches to be played at ENGIE Stadium (formerly Sydney Showground Stadium) and believe the players we have signed, or are looking to sign, will provide Trevor with the tools we need to get back to challenging for a title.”
Sydney Thunder BBL|14 Squad: Wes Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Oliver Davies, Matt Gilkes, Chris Green, Liam Hatcher, Nathan McAndrew, William Salzmann, Daniel Sams, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha
