Photo Credit: Sydney Thunder
While they play innovative shots and seem to chance their hand, Sydney Thunder’s Alex Ross said ‘fearlessness’ and not ‘recklessness’ was the creed most batters in the Big Bash League follow.
Ross, whose 79 BBL matches have yielded 1500 runs at an enviable strike rate of 128.98, said despite the breakneck pace T20 games are played at, it’s important for players to always remain poised and in control.
“Fearless, rather than reckless,” said Ross when asked to define a batter’s best approach.
“If you become reckless that’s when you see people get out; maybe play a shot that maybe isn’t in their armoury, or, when they’re under pressure they produce a shot they don’t actually need.
“But if a batter has a shot – or the option to play it over and over again – I think its courageous to take it on.”
While supporters are attracted to the BBL by the fireworks and fun, Ross said the competition was underpinned by a deadly seriousness.
“[The BBL] is three games away from not playing, or three games from playing for Australia,” he said. “It is a format in which there is a lot of fun, but it can be tough and a lonely place sometimes because games come thick and fast, and if you’re not going so well it can be easy to feel as though it’s going really badly.
“On the other hand, if you’re going very well it can be overhyped. It’s important to stay level-headed and to continue to do what you do.”
Despite the challenges, Ross said the BBL provided players – and spectators who’ll attend the season-opening Thunder-Melbourne Stars match at Manuka on Tuesday night – with plenty to like.
“I like the fact that everything in short-form cricket is so positive,” said Ross, who played in the ACT as a junior. “You’re always looking for the positive option when you’re in the field, with the bat, or the ball.
“But everything around it is positive – you’re trying to get the best out of everyone. I really love that part of it.
Ross said he and his teammates were excited to be back at Canberra, the place the Thunder players openly call their ‘second home’.
“Canberrans always get around us, they’re great,” he said. “I think they’ve embraced Thunder and we’re looking forward to being able to interact with them [signing autographs and taking selfies] with them after the support they gave us when we were based in Canberra because of COVID.”
Name of Author: Sydney Thunder
The Sydney Thunder is an Australian professional cricket team competing in the Big Bash League (BBL). Based at Sydney Showground Stadium, the Thunder, along with the Sydney Sixers, succeeded the New South Wales Blues from the defunct KFC Twenty20 Big Bash.
