Photo Credit: Sydney Thunder
Sydney Thunder opener Matthew Gilkes has credited the contributions from ‘pretty much everyone’ in the Trevor Bayliss-coached Thunder squad for the team sitting in second place on the KFC Big Bash League table.
Thunder heads into tomorrow’s match against Hobart Hurricanes at Marvel Stadium chasing their seventh straight win, and Gilkes said the team had benefited from various players making their marks on the season.
“The whole team has gelled well,” said Gilkes. “The most pleasing thing is it hasn’t necessarily been just one person standing up for us – we’ve had numerous people rise to the occasion and do the job.”
The all-round contribution of Thunder’s squad is reflected on the team’s season statistics sheet with Jason Sangha (329), Sam Billings (284), Alex Hales (269), and Alex Ross (181) sharing the runs, and bowlers Daniel Sams (15), Saqib Mahmood (13), Tanveer Sangha (11), Gurinder Sandhu and Nathan McAndrew (10) among the wickets.
As for Gilkes, who’s 286 runs included a brilliant 93 off only 54 balls against the Adelaide Strikers, he’s determined to add more big scores to his season’s tally.
“I would’ve liked to have got some more big scores,” he said. “I’ve been getting a lot of starts but I’ve thrown them away, unfortunately.
“I have a lot of confidence in that I’m striking the ball well, and I really want to nail the big scores.”
While Thunder is sitting in second place on the BBL ladder, Gilkes made it clear he and his teammates were taking nothing for granted against Hobart despite defeating them at the MCG on Monday.
“The Hurricanes are a dangerous outfit,” he said. “Ben McDermott has had an incredible start to the summer and scored [495] runs for them.
“He’s obviously a huge wicket, but we’re aware the Hurricanes have so many good players that can get the job done.”
Gilkes also made it clear he was excited by this Saturday’s Sydney Smash at the SCG against the Sixers.
“While we’re all focused on the match against Hobart, but now that you’ve mentioned it I’m looking forward to the derby against the Sixers,” he said.
“It’s always an incredible game . . . they’re a great team and it’d be tremendous to go one for one with them after they beat us earlier in the season.
“We’re hoping to see plenty of Thunder supporters out at the SCG because it’d be a huge boost.”
Sydney Thunder Squad v Hobart Hurricanes at Marvel Stadium
| # | Player | Junior Club |
| 23 | Jason Sangha © | Wallsend JCC |
| 50 | Jonathon Cook | St Andrews JCC |
| 31 | Ben Cutting | MacGregor JCC is |
| 9 | Ollie Davies | Harbord Devils JCC |
| 22 | Matthew Gilkes | Ulladulla United JCC |
| 6 | Alex Hales | Gerrards Cross JCC (England) |
| 87 | Muhammad Hasnain (InternationalReplacement Player] | Sind Cricket Academy [Pakistan] |
| 27 | Baxter Holt | Carlingford Waratah JCC |
| 44 | Nathan McAndrew | Oak Flats JCC |
| 10 | Arjun Nair (Local Replacement Player) | Wenty Leagues Club JCC |
| 49 | Alex Ross | Kensington JCC |
| 95 | Daniel Sams | Panania-East Hills RSL JCC |
| 28 | Gurinder Sandhu | Plumpton-Glendenning JCC |
| 17 | Tanveer Sangha | Ingleburn RSL JCC |
| 20 | Chris Tremain | Kinross Wolaroi JCC |
| 3 | Sam Whiteman (Local ReplacementPlayer) | Colts JCC |
Sydney Thunder – BBL|11 – full list of home fixtures (All times AEDT):
v. Brisbane Heat | Monday, December 6 | 7.15pm | Manuka Oval
v. Melbourne Stars| Sunday, December 12 | 7.15pm | Sydney Showground Stadium
v. Sydney Sixers | Sunday, December 26 | 6.05pm | Sydney Showground Stadium
v. Perth Scorchers | Tuesday, December 28 | 7.15pm | Manuka Oval
v. Adelaide Strikers | Sunday, January 2 | 7.15pm | Sydney Showground Stadium
v. Hobart Hurricanes| Thursday, January 13 | 3.45pm | Marvel Stadium
v. Melbourne Renegades presented by GambleAware | Wednesday, January 19 | 4.40pm | Sydney Showground Stadium
Thunder fans can catch all the action LIVE on Channel 7, Fox Cricket and Kayo, with awesome behind the scenes content across our social channels.
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.
