Photo Credit: Sydney Thunder
Left-arm spinner commits to the Thunder Nation for the next two WBBL seasons
Sydney Thunder bowler Sam Bates has taken a significant step towards becoming a one-club Rebel Women’s Big Bash League player, signing a contract extension for the next two seasons.
The left-arm spinner has enjoyed a stand-out season in WBBL|06, so far taking 15 wickets at an economy of 5.76 to help Thunder qualify for finals and earn herself a place in the Team of the Tournament.
Her best figures of 3-9 came against the Perth Scorchers, including the big wicket of Player of the Tournament Sophie Devine, and she led Thunder to victory over defending champions the Brisbane Heat with a brilliant double-wicket maiden earlier in the tournament.
Bates said her decision came down to the promising future of the club and her desire to be a one-club player.
“Our team is in a really good position right now and it’s really exciting to see the young guns coming through like Phoebe Litchfield and Hannah Darlington and I’m just really excited that I can still be part of it,” she said.
“Right now, I really can’t see myself playing for a different team.”
Bates was part of the Thunder squad that won the inaugural WBBL title and has played 73 matches for the team, taking 68 wickets at an economy rate of 6.12, the second-most efficient of all Thunder players, behind South African fast bowler Shabnim Ismail.
Thunder is set to take on the Heat in a blockbuster semi-final at North Sydney Oval on Thursday 26 November. Adults $10 and kids 16 and under go free!
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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.
