Photo Credit: Adelaide Strikers
Promising fast bowler Henry Thornton, known to his teammates as Big Engine, will continue his burgeoning Big Bash career this summer after signing a two-year deal with the Strikers.
Making his debut midway through BBL|11 as a replacement player, the 25-year-old made an immediate impact with a potent mixture of express pace and precision accuracy.
Thornton dismantled Chris Lynn’s stumps with just his third delivery as a Striker, finishing his maiden performance with tidy figures of 1/12, including eight dot balls from three overs.
The right-arm quick featured in every match of the season thereafter, with his dangerous pace – often exceeding 140km/h – challenging the best batters in the country.
Thornton finished the tournament with 13 wickets from seven outings, including an electrifying four-wicket haul against the Melbourne Stars at Adelaide Oval to confirm his potential.
Thornton says he can’t wait to play more Big Bash cricket with the Strikers over the next two seasons.
“Playing in front of the amazing Strikers fans at Adelaide Oval was such a thrill last summer and I’m really looking forward to getting back out there.
“I’ve learned so much playing under Dizzy and alongside experienced guys like Peter Siddle, Travis Head and Alex Carey. It’s a great environment and we all help bring the best out of each other.
“Hopefully we can entertain the fans, get a few wins on the board and push for finals consistently over the next few years.”
Head Coach Jason Gillespie says Thornton is an exciting prospect and great addition to the squad.
“Henry showed last summer the quality of cricket he can produce after joining the squad midway through the season.
“He’s a terrific young man, a great person to have around the team and possesses all the tools to be a really important player for us over the next two years.”
The KFC BBL|12 Draft will be held this Saturday, August 28 with the Strikers holding Pick 5 in the innovative event, which will be broadcast on Fox Cricket and Kayo.
Adelaide begins its KFC BBL|12 campaign against the Sydney Sixers on Wednesday, December 14 at Adelaide Oval.
Name of Author: Adelaide Strikers
The Adelaide Strikers are an Australian professional Twenty20 cricket team based in Adelaide, South Australia, competing in the Big Bash League (BBL). Established in 2011, they succeeded the Southern Redbacks, who played in the now-defunct KFC Twenty20 Big Bash. The Strikers play their home games at the Adelaide Oval and wear a cornflower blue uniform.
