Photo Credit: Sydney Thunder
Sydney Thunder has named a 17-player squad for tomorrow’s KFC Big Bash League match against the Sydney Sixers at the Sydney Cricket Ground, starting at 7.05pm.
Thunder will take to the field after last night’s victory over the Melbourne Renegades, in which batter/wicketkeeper Matthew Gilkes was named Player of the Match after he scored an unbeaten 74 from 55 deliveries.
The team representing western Sydney will be determined to avenge their loss in the ‘Smash’ that was played at Sydney Showground Stadium on January 8. Thunder’s marquee signing. David Warner has advised his teammates that ‘mindset’ and ‘attitude’ will be important factors.
“To win the Sydney Smash we have to come out with a great, positive attitude and mindset,” he said. “We have to start well with the bat or the ball – whichever we do first – and from there it is energy in the ring, and energy with the bat.”
Warner on why the Sydney Smash is so important to both teams
“I think it’s just east versus west, isn’t it? That’s how it has always been. It’s a great spectacle, we know both teams love that rivalry, and we can’t wait to get out there and play each other.”
Warner on the impact he is having on Thunder’s younger players?
“If they can learn anything from me, it would just be to listen because I’m starting to listen as I get older. I think it is helping . . . especially listening before I speak.”
Warner on Thunder’s squad and the club’s young players
“We know each other’s capabilities, each person in the team has their own individual roles and we try to execute that as best as we can. We have that strong self-belief.
“We have some great young talent coming through, we’ve got depth of good cricket and youngsters. I’m excited to see the potential they bring. We’ve obviously seen Ollie Davies go about his business, and his brother [Joel]. ‘Niki’ [Blake Nikitaras], we haven’t seen come out yet, but I know what he can bring to the table.
“The future is in good hands with these youngsters coming through, and once us old fellas move out of the situation these guys will learn a lot from us hopefully – keep progressing through the grades – and hopefully lift that trophy this year, and so on.”
Squad for Sydney Thunder v Sydney Sixers
Ben Cutting, Joel Davies, Oliver Davies, Brendan Doggett, Matthew Gilkes, Toby Gray, Chris Green (c), Baxter Holt, Nathan McAndrew, Blake Nikitaras, Ross Pawson, Usman Qadir, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Gurinder Sandhu, David Warner, Sam Whiteman.
Sydney Thunder-Sydney Sixers is set to begin at 7.05pm (AEDT) and will be broadcast live on 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.
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.
