Watson ready to roll on with Thunder
SHANE Watson has declared for the first time he will officially play on next summer in the Big Bash — but there could be plenty of new faces at the Sydney Thunder with 11 teammates without a deal.
It is not uncommon for BBL franchises to have so many players off contract at this time of season, but the Thunder has a host of big names up for grabs, including young spinner Arjun Nair, Gurinder Sandhu and Kiwi quick Mitch McClenaghan.
They will all be on show tonight when the Thunder attempts to keep its faint finals hopes alive against the struggling Melbourne Stars at the MCG.
The salary cap will increase just $75,000 to $1.675 million next summer, with Chris Green this week signing a deal to keep him at the Thunder with Usman Khawaja, Callum Ferguson, Fawad Ahmed and Ryan Gibson.
Watson, who was unde- cided at the start of the summer about whether he would retire, said yesterday he had told Thunder boss Lee Germon this week he was keen to play on.
A couple of half-centuries at the start of the Thunder’s campaign showed the 36-year-old all-rounder still had plenty to offer.
“I love playing in the Big Bash and I still feel I can add a lot of value on and off the field,” Watson said.
“While I’m doing that, and I’m enjoying it, and loving being around the Thunder environment, hopefully I’ll be signing with the Thunder next year.” ENGLISH batsman Luke Wright has ended his tenure at the Melbourne Stars.
Wright had been ruled out of tonight’s fixture because of delayed concussion. After discussing his situation with club hierarchy, Wright ended his time with the Stars.