Sunday, February 16, 2025

BBL 2024-25 – How David Warner has Sydney Thunder believing once more

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David Warner has helped the Sydney Thunder to consider once more in line with coach Trevor Bayliss because the workforce’s fairytale BBL resurgence stretches into the finals.

A 12 months in the past, they had been making ready for a autopsy on the equal-worst season from any BBL workforce in a decade. Not for the reason that Thunder outfit of 2013-14 had a aspect received just one match in a BBL summer season.

However led by new captain Warner, they’ve surged to 3rd place on the ladder this summer season with a 5-3 document, simply securing a top-four spot and knockout date with Melbourne Stars on Wednesday.

He would seemingly have sat atop the batting rankings if not for rain; moist climate meant the Thunder performed one fewer sport than the Perth Scorchers, whose star allrounder Cooper Connolly scored solely 5 extra runs. However Bayliss has seen Warner’s impression stretch past the enjoying area.

“The job he is completed as captain, it isn’t nearly his batting for instance, it is his persona,” he mentioned. “He is at all times up for it, he is a optimistic character. Loud, obnoxious typically, however the boys find it irresistible.

“I believe it is the arrogance that he provides his team-mates, and their perception then that they are adequate to do the job. They’re all good gamers, they generally simply want that perception. Definitely I believe the outcomes have proven this 12 months.”

Public opinion of Warner has wavered dramatically over time, from his early days as a hyper-confident ballstriker, to his position within the Newlands ball-tampering controversy, and the shift to introspection that adopted. The newest iteration of Warner has made an impression on new Thunder team-mate Sam Billings.

“Folks have this notion round him, however he is unimaginable when it comes to the conversations he has with people and the constant drive,” Billings mentioned. “You see why he is the most effective gamers on the earth, nonetheless on the age of 38. I am studying off him every single day.”

As they ready to host a equally resurgent Stars at ENGIE Stadium, Warner felt the Thunder nonetheless had room for enchancment. The workforce’s largest partnership, 89 between Warner and Matthew Gilkes in opposition to Perth Scorchers, was solely the Tenth-largest of the common season. The aspect additionally doesn’t have a wicket-taker within the high 10 for the match.

“The batters have not all gelled collectively and gotten large partnerships,” Warner mentioned. “We discuss bowling partnerships as nicely, one has leaked at one finish after which the opposite has taken wickets. We nonetheless have not performed a whole sport but, which for me is horrifying.”


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