Photo Credit: Sydney Thunder
Fast bowler Lea Tahuhu and all-rounder Saskia Horley join the Thunder Nation as Replacement Players
Sydney Thunder has signed New Zealand’s firebrand fast bowler Lea Tahuhu and Manly’s all-rounder Saskia Horley as Replacement Players for their Weber WBBL|08 campaign.
Tahuhu, who is considered one of the most intimidating pace bowlers in world cricket, will be available for Thunder’s opening match against the Hobart Hurricanes at Blacktown International SportsPark for tomorrow’s match starting at 3pm.
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The 32-year-old, who has played 152 white ball matches for New Zealand, will fill in for England international Amy Jones, who’ll miss Thunder’s opening round match due to her recent international duties.
Jones will be available to play in Sunday’s match against the Perth Scorchers at Blacktown.
While Thunder boasts four internationals – Tahuhu, Tammy Beaumont, Chloe Tryon, and Jones – they can only name three of them to play in a match.
Tahuhu, who played 61 WBBL matches for the Melbourne Renegades between 2016-20, will then be on hand to cover Hannah Darlington for the opening seven games as she recovers from her injured knee.
Coach Trevor Griffin said he was ‘ecstatic’ for Thunder to have been able to recruit a player of Tahuhu’s obvious class and talent.
“I’m absolutely delighted to have Lea playing for us,” said Griffin, who coached Tahuhu during his time with New Zealand domestic team, Canterbury.
“She’s the fastest bowler in the world; she has plenty of experience including international matches, World Cups, she’s played in major T20 tournaments – including the WBBL and the UK – and has a wealth of knowledge.”
Meanwhile, Sydney’s Saskia Horley, who recently represented Scotland in its ICC World Cup T20 qualifiers, will return to Thunder as the Local Replacement Player for Darlington.
The call-up is the latest chapter in the 22-year-old’s incredible career revival.
After re-evaluating aspects of her career, Horley – who was an under-19 Australian player and a member of Thunder’s squad from 2018 to 2020 – represented the NSW Breakers in their recent matches against Western Australia.
“Saskia went away and worked on her game and the results have been outstanding,” said Griffin. “She’s been very impressive, and I’m happy to have her back in Thunder’s colours.
“She is a three-stacked player – one who can bat, bowl, and field extremely well. I’m looking forward to again working with Saskia.”
Sydney Thunder WBBL|08 Home Fixtures
Fri 14 Oct | Thunder v Hurricanes | Blacktown International Sportspark | 3:00pm
Sun 16 Oct | Thunder v Scorchers | Blacktown International Sportspark | 5:00pm
Tue 18 Oct | Hurricanes v Thunder | Blacktown International Sportspark | 7:05pm
Wed 2 Nov | Thunder v Sixers | Blacktown International Sportspark | 7:05pm
Tue 15 Nov | Thunder v Renegades | Manuka Oval | 7:10pm
Fri 18 Nov | Sydney Sixers v Sydney Thunder | North Sydney Oval | 7:05pm
Sun 20 Nov | Thunder v Strikers | North Sydney Oval | 5:15pm
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.
