Photo Credit: Sydney Thunder
New recruit set to inherit club legend Alex Blackwell’s number for WBBL|06
New recruit Lauren Smith will have the honour of wearing the great Alex Blackwell’s No. 2 jersey in WBBL|06.
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Smith has always worn the No. 2 for NSW and the Sydney Sixers, but the off-spinner felt she needed permission from the Thunder great, and former captain, who had made that number her own during the first five editions of the WBBL.
“I sent Alex a message seeing if I could give her a call,” said Smith.
“She was so passionate about what the Thunder shirt meant to her and I am absolutely honoured to wear that shirt.
“I know I’m going to try my best with this number on my back.”
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Blackwell farewelled the club at the end of WBBL|05 with her number forever linked to the inspirational leadership that nurtured the culture of team that exists today.
“She’s just such a legend of the game, and such a legend around this Thunder set up as well,” said Smith.
“Wearing number two, I’ll always have Alex in the back of my mind all the time, just because she has worn it since the start of the WBBL in lime green and black.
“She has told me that she couldn’t have thought of a better player to wear her number. I’m just going to try and bring that energy in the field that she brought.”
Having enjoyed so much success with Blackwell as a NSW Breaker, Smith could already appreciate the profound impact Alex could have on a team, and after her first few training sessions with the Thunder, the off-spinner could sense that aura and more.
“There’s been a few times when we were doing a fielding drill that (captain) Rach Haynes has mentioned a few key words Alex use to say to just get us up and about.
“Alex left such a legacy in and around this group. She’ll always be there.”
Rachael Haynes took over the captaincy from Blackwell last season and now carries on a similar influence over the group.
“Rach Haynes has just been a real leader from the get-go,” Smith said.
“I find that I work really well with her as captain, she’s always backed my ideas (when playing with her at the Breakers) and always up for a little bit of change in and around my bowling and fielding.”
Sydney Thunder is set to open its WBBL|06 season with a blockbuster Sydney Smash against crosstown rivals the Sydney Sixers at North Sydney Oval on 25 October.
Sydney Thunder WBBL|06 Tickets
Sunday 25 October | Vs Sydney Sixers | North Sydney Oval | 1:45PM
Saturday 31 October | Vs Adelaide Strikers | Sydney Showground Stadium | 12:15PM
Sunday 1 November | Vs Brisbane Heat | Sydney Showground Stadium | 10:20AM
Wednesday 4 November | Vs Perth Scorchers | Blacktown International Sportspark | 2:30PM
Wednesday 11 November | Vs Brisbane Heat | Blacktown International Sportspark | 7:05PM
Saturday 14 November | Vs Melbourne Stars | Sydney Showground Stadium | 7:05PM
Sunday 15 November | Vs Perth Scorchers | Sydney Showground Stadium | 10:20AM
Wednesday 18 November | Vs Sydney Sixers | Blacktown International Sportspark | 7:05PM
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Memberships start from $40 and offer access to a host of new benefits and exclusive discounts. View all packages here.
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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.
