God of Thunder: BBL’s Warner coup
SYDNEY Thunder have confirmed the landmark signing of David Warner, who has revealed his motivation to return to the Big Bash is based on a desire to save the competition for future generations.
A deal has been done by Cricket Australia that has delivered one of the all-time greats of T20 cricket back to the Big Bash after a decade.
It’s a massive coup for Cricket Australia, just weeks after there was a serious
threat Warner could defect to the new competing league in the UAE.
Warner will be the biggest star injection the Big Bash has experienced since the days of Kevin Pietersen and Shane Warne.
The Sydney Thunder said in a statement on Sunday that they would not be naming a captain until closer to the start of the BBL season, with coach Trevor Bayliss hailing the leadership influence the 35-year-old Warner will have on the group.
“The club has a tremendous
group of young talented batters and leaders, with the likes of Jason Sangha, Ollie Davies, Matt Gilkes and Baxter Holt. They will all benefit greatly from Davey’s experience and guidance,” Bayliss said.
“Davey’s record on the field speaks for itself and I have no doubt he already has and will continue to inspire many, many kids to play and love cricket.”
CA boss Nick Hockley has been working hard behind the scenes trying to nut out a deal with Warner ever since flying
home early from the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Warner will only be available for the back end of the BBL after the Sydney Test, but his presence will be an instant boost.
During the players’ pay dispute with Cricket Australia in 2017, Warner was the leading voice, and again he has declared a motivation to play his part for cricketers to follow.
“I’m really excited to get back to the Big Bash with the club where I started,” Warner said, having played two
games for the Thunder in the fledgling years of the competition and scoring the BBL’s first ever century.
“I care deeply about the game, and I am conscious that the conditions that I enjoy as a professional cricketer have largely come from other senior players who have come before me.
“That is how the game is structured and I understand that my contribution to the future of the BBL will hopefully benefit the next generation of players long after I am retired.”