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Speedster suffered knee injury during South Africa’s tour of the West Indies
Shabnim Ismail, who starred throughout Sydney Thunder’s triumphant 2020 campaign, has informed the club that a knee injury has ruled her out of taking part in its Weber WBBL|07 title defence.
The 32-year-old, regarded as women’s cricket’s most intimidating pace bowler, injured her knee during South Africa’s tour of the West Indies.
“She took a bad knock and unfortunately Shabnim won’t be able to play in this season’s WBBL competition,” said Griffin.
“It’s terrible news because she’s been an important member of Sydney Thunder over the last couple of seasons.
“She showed her class in the Final against the Melbourne Stars at North Sydney Oval last year. I’m just as disappointed for her because I know how much she enjoys being a part of Thunder Nation and the WBBL.”
Ismail was named Player of the Match in last summer’s final against the Stars after she put the Melbourne team on the back foot from her opening ball. She took 2-12 in a brutal spell of bowling that’s regarded as one of the best performances in the league’s history.
Cricket NSW Head of Female Cricket Leah Poulton also said Ismail would be missed during the season.
“It’s a huge loss for Sydney Thunder, and also the WBBL competition,” said Poulton.
“She’s a much-loved character in the Thunder team.
“And that’s why, above everything else, we’re devastated that Shabnim can’t come out because she’s an important part of the group. They’ll obviously also miss her on the field because she’s that x-factor player who’s capable of turning a match on its head within an over.
“That’s a huge loss for any team.”
Thunder is scouring world cricket to find a player who’ll provide Thunder’s attack with similar excitement and raw pace to Ismail.
Sydney Thunder begin their WBBL|07 campaign – and title defence – against the Adelaide Strikers on Saturday, October 16 from 7:05pm AEDT, at Blundstone Arena in Hobart.
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.
Sydney Thunder WBBL Squad
Head Coach: Trevor Griffin
Contracted for WBBL|07: Rachael Haynes (C), Samantha Bates, Hannah Darlington, Corinne Hall, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Anika Learoyd, Phoebe Litchfield, Smriti Mandhana (IND), Kate Peterson, Olivia Porter, Deepti Sharma (IND), Lauren Smith, Tahlia Wilson
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.
