High-profile outgoings leave Thunder searching for answers

MEN'S BIG BASH LEAGUE PREVIEW - SYDNEY THUNDER: A fourth straight failure to reach the knock-out stage appears inevitable after a damaging off-season

The Cricketer | 10/12/2019 at 17:25

Coach: Shane Bond

Captain: Callum Ferguson

Overseas players: Alex Hales (England), Chris Morris (South Africa)

Australia national team players: Callum Ferguson, Usman Khawaja

Last season: Sixth

How did they do last season?

Though Thunder were never consistent enough to claim they would have been deserving of a semi-final place, the no result against Brisbane when they had them 10 for 2 with 12 balls required to constitute a game there is still a feeling of what could have been. Defeats to the Renegades and for the second time in the Sydney derby sealed their fate.

BIG BASH 2019-20 FIXTURES: Full schedule, timetable, dates for BBL09

Key players?

Usman Khawaja: Not a player with a spectacular T20 record, but there is little doubting his pedigree at the top level. Australia are unlikely to require him during the Test series against New Zealand meaning he will play a major part in the competition. And given the noticeable dearth of quality available, Thunder need Khawaja to return to his 2015-16 form, when he struck two centuries and a pair of fifties in four innings.

Alex Hales: Developing into one of the most recognisable names on the T20 franchise circuit. Despite a troublesome 2019 off-the-field, he has allowed his cricket to do the talking. Hales smashed more than 400 runs in the T20 Blast for Nottinghamshire and has taken that form into the Mzansi Super League. Regardless of whether England are watching, he should have a fruitful campaign.

Chris Tremain: Only played six times for champions Renegades last season but produced a handful of clutch displays when it mattered. Took 3-9 against Perth Scorchers, but produced the stand-out bowling display in the final as Melbourne Stars were restricted to 132 in 20 overs. Back in Sydney, more heroics are required this time around.

hales101201-min

^{Alex Hales has previously represented Renegades and Strikes in the BBL}

Strengths

There are some genuine gun batsmen in the line-up. Hales has done it at the highest level domestically and internationally, Chris Morris scores at above 150 at this level and Callum Ferguson comes into the competition in stellar form. Tremain is a shrewd addition in the bowling department with recent success in the competition. There are also high hopes for teenager for Kerry O'Keeffe.

Weaknesses

Where do you start? The stream of talent lost by Thunder is impossible to ignore. Jos Buttler, Pat Cummins, Joe Root and Kurtis Patterson have departed in one way or another and it remains to be seen whether those who have taken their place can fill the chasm of talent which remains

England involvement

Nottinghamshire opener Hales is the only Englishman recruited by Thunder after three players were released since the end of last term.

Squad: Jonathan Cook, Oliver Davies, Brendan Doggett, Callum Ferguson, Matt Gilkes, Chris Green, Alex Hales, Usman Khawaja, Jay Lenton, Nathan McAndrew, Chris Morris, Arjun Nair, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Gurinder Sandhu, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, Chris Tremain