Ace Australian opener David Warner announced his return to the Big Bash League (BBL) in the upcoming season as he signed up with the Sydney Thunder franchise. The opener has signed a two-year deal with Sydney Thunder, a move that will be seen by many as a big win for the Australian T20 league in a crowded marketplace.
Earlier, Warner was touted to join either the UAE’s ILT20 league or the CSA T20 League, both of which will be played in January next year and clash with the BBL. The 12th edition of the BBL will run from Dec. 13 to Feb. 4.
The cricketer said that his decision to join BBL was influenced by his three daughters — Ivy Mae, Indi Rae, and Isla Rose.
“My 'girls' have told me that they'd love to watch me play at home and in the BBL. It will be great for us to be a part of the BBL as a family, and it is something that I am really looking forward to sharing with them,” Warner said in a press release.
"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," he said.
Warner will link up with Thunder after the conclusion of the Australia-South Africa Test series in January and will be available to play in the final five regular season matches in BBL 12.
On the other hand, Thunder is yet to name a captain after Usman Khawaja moved to Brisbane Heat.
Sydney Thunder BBL 12 contracted players:
Ollie Davies, Brendan Doggett, Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Baxter Holt, Nathan McAndrew, Daniel Sams, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, David Warner
(Reuters inputs)
