The Sydney Thunder team are looking to pick up a second Big Bash League (BBL) title in the 2020 season.
Historically, Sydney Thunder have been one of the BBL’s weaker sides. They have finished last in four out of the nine editions of the tournament to date, and have never finished higher than fourth on the points table. However, the one occasion they finished in the top four saw them dominate the playoffs, emerging as BBL champions back in 2015, while last year they qualified for the latter stages for only the second time.
Sydney Thunder BBL team preview
The Sydney Thunder team finished in the bottom half of the BBL table in 2019/20, as they have done in all but one edition to date. But they negotiated a convoluted playoff stage expertly, easing past Hobart Hurricanes in the Eliminator and Adelaide Strikers in the Qualifier before coming up just short against Melbourne Stars in the Challenger. That will give them confidence that if they can sneak into the latter stages, they have the wherewithal to come good on the big stage when it counts.
Sydney Thunder squad list
Callum Ferguson (c), Sam Billings, Jonathan Cook, Ben Cutting, Oliver Davies, Brendan Doggett, Matt Gilkes, Chris Green, Alex Hales, Baxter Holt, Usman Khawaja, Nathan McAndrew, Adam Milne, Arjun Nair, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, Chris Tremain
Key domestic player: Chris Green
Somehow still uncapped by Australia, wily off-spinner Chris Green has had his bowling action cleared after a suspension during last year’s campaign. During the 2020 Caribbean Premier League, he looked fully confident and back to his best, and if that continues in the BBL then plenty of batsmen will find themselves caught in the Sydney Thunder’s spinner’s web.
Key overseas player: Alex Hales
The second top run-scorer in last year’s competition, Alex Hales has something of a point to prove after a low-key T20 Blast campaign, despite Notts Outlaws’ taking the title. Still, in Eoin Morgan’s bad books, but with Jason Roy’s form potentially leaving an opening spot with England for the taking, he’ll be desperate to show them exactly what they’re missing.
Sydney Thunder BBL schedule
*All match timings are in local time
Dec 12, 2020, Melbourne Stars v Sydney Thunder, Manuka Oval, 4:05 pm
Dec 14, 2020, Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat, Manuka Oval 7.15 pm
Dec 22, 2020, Sydney Thunder v Perth Scorchers, Manuka Oval, 7.15 pm
Dec 26, 2020, Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Renegades, Manuka Oval, 6.10 pm
Dec 29, 2020, Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Stars, Manuka Oval, 7.15 pm
Jan 1, 2021, Melbourne Renegades v Sydney Thunder, Metricon Stadium, 7.15 pm
Jan 4, 2021, Brisbane Heat v Sydney Thunder, The Gabba, 6.15 pm
Jan 7, 2021, Hobart Hurricanes v Sydney Thunder, Optus Stadium, 3.10 pm
Jan 9, 2021, Perth Scorchers v Sydney Thunder, Optus Stadium, 4.15 pm
Jan 13, 2021, Sydney Thunder v Sydney Sixers, Sydney Showground Stadium, 7.15pm
Jan 18, 2021, Sydney Thunder v Hobart Hurricanes, Sydney Showground Stadium, 7.15 pm
Jan 22, 2021, Sydney Sixers v Sydney Thunder, SCG, 7.15 pm
Jan 24, 2021, Sydney Thunder v Adelaide Strikers, Sydney Showground Stadium, 4.05 pm
Jan 25, 2021, Adelaide Strikers v Sydney Thunder, Sydney Showground Stadium, 7.15 pm
