Thunder determined to knock the Heat’s lights out
SYDNEY Thunder would love nothing more than to knock the lights out of the Brisbane Heat in tonight’s Big Bash seasonopener at the Gabba.
It would be the perfect payback for last year’s farcical match that was abandoned because of a power outage.
The visitors were well placed to win but had to share the points in what proved to be the season-defining result as the Thunder missed the playoffs by a point and they’re still fuming.
“We’re really looking forward to this game,” Thunder paceman Gurinder Sandhu said. “Hopefully they can keep the lights on this year, that’ll be a great start. It was a shame with the points and what not but I don’t think it’s ever happened before that game and probably won’t happen again.
“It was a bit embarrassing from their point of view.”
There was a bitter fallout between the teams in the aftermath of the blackout with the Thunder lodging an official appeal to be awarded the full points but to no avail.
The Thunder have since poached two of the Heat’s players – Alex Ross and Brendan Doggett – in the off-season, so everyone is expecting a hostile reception.
“I’m ready for the boos and I’ve had it before,” said Ross, who learnt how fickle fans can be after he left the Strikers in 2016 for the Heat.
Ross said he wasn’t rattled by the jeers but his mother got so upset she confronted people in the crowd who were booing her son and told them to be quiet.
“I guess you have that little bit of extra motivation, more than what you need,” Ross said.
“Luckily I made some runs last time it happened, so if there’s anyone wanting to boo then go for it.”
Another Thunder player expecting a mixed reception is Usman Khawaja, who lives in Brisbane and captains the Queensland Sheffield Shield team but plays BBL for the Thunder, near where he grew up in Western Sydney.
The 32-year-old left-hander is the only foundation player left on the Thunder’s roster and has just signed a new four-year deal ensuring his state allegiances are tested every time he crosses the border.
“It’s always a bit more fun playing against your mates,” Khawaja said.
“The Gabba’s just a stone’s throw from where I live, so it’s almost a home game for me.
“I don’t think they’ll give me too much stick because the game’s so fast there’s not really enough time but it should be a great match.
“I didn’t play in the match last year but the Gabba’s an excellent place to play cricket, it’s one of my favourite grounds in the world, especially for T20 cricket because the ball’s usually flying around the park and it’s a beautiful wicket and a nice bounce.”