Photo Credit: Sydney Thunder
Coach Shane Bond reflects on the contributions the duo have made to the Thunder Nation
Sydney Thunder coach Shane Bond has thanked Gurinder Sandhu and Jay Lenton for their contributions to the club after it was confirmed that the duo will not be offered playing contracts for the upcoming KFC Big Bash League season.
Sandhu, 27, departs as one of Thunder’s longest-serving players. He joined the club ahead of BBL|02 and went on to take 41 wickets in 47 matches.
The right-arm bowler from Western Sydney made his name in BBL|03, finishing the season as Thunder’s leading wicket-taker with 10 scalps and awarded the Mike Hussey Medal.
Lenton, 30, joined Thunder ahead of BBL|07 after impressing as a replacement player the previous season. The wicketkeeper-batsman went on to score 131 runs across 20 matches and complete 15 dismissals behind the stumps.
“They’re the toughest decisions you have to make as a coach, especially when it’s two people that you really like,” Bond said.
“But as a coach, I have to rotate and change our squad from year to year. Regardless if you win or lose, it’s important to keep evolving and developing.
“I’d like to thank Gurinder and Jay for everything they both gave to the club.
“Gurinder has served the Thunder Nation well for a long time and you just won’t meet a greater team man than Jay. We’ll certainly miss having them around the team.”
Sandhu thanked the club for its support over the last eight seasons.
“I grew up in Western Sydney so playing for Thunder was really special,” Sandhu said.
“They gave me my first opportunity back in BBL|02 and I thank the club very much.
“I’m only 27 so looking forward to what lies ahead and hopefully coming up against Thunder.”
Lenton also acknowledged the support of the Thunder Nation.
“I’d like to thank the Thunder Nation for the last four seasons,” he said.
“Thanks to the fans, the club and my teammates for letting me live the dream of playing Big Bash cricket.”
Sydney Thunder is set to open its tenth KFC BBL campaign on 5 December 2020 against the Melbourne Stars at the MCG, before playing its first game at Sydney Showground Stadium on 8 December 2020.
Membership renewals are now open for the 2020/21 season, with non-ticketed packages available that will give Members access to a host of new benefits and exclusive discounts. Visit sydneythunder.com.au/membership for more information.
To register your interest in joining the Thunder Nation when Memberships go on public sale next month, please click here.
Sydney Thunder BBL Squad
Head Coach: Shane Bond
Contracted for BBL|10: Callum Ferguson (C), Jonathan Cook, Brendan Doggett, Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Usman Khawaja, Nathan McAndrew, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, Chris Tremain
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.
