In seasons gone by, it would be hard to define what the Sydney Thunder stood for in the BBL.
Last season, their campaign ended with a home game abandoned due to weather, leaving them with another wooden spoon — their fifth in 13 seasons.
Representing the Western Sydney community, the Thunder haven’t had the success their fanbase would’ve hoped for and for many years they’ve casted envious glances across the Harbour Bridge to the men in magenta.
The Sixers under the leadership of skipper Moises Henriques and coach Greg Shipperd have steered the group beautifully for a decade, creating a culture where players want to be at.
In contrast, the Thunder were once seen as the competition’s pushovers — a fragile club that was famously bowled out for just 15, the lowest total in BBL history and the fifth-lowest score in T20 cricket. And apart from the sublime finals series from Usman Khawaja in BBL05 there is not much else to celebrate in their existence.
But this season, the Thunder have had a resurgence. It feels different this time.
The game-changing difference has been the leadership David Warner has provided since his leadership ban was lifted. His cricket brain is almost unrivalled, and when he rocks up to Engie Stadium with his new Kaboom Gray-Nicolls bat, head wobble and a swagger, the team walks taller.
David Warner of the Thunder addresses the team (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
And with some people doubting whether the 38-year-old still had it, he answered critics swiftly.
Warner is the second leading scorer in the competition with 346 runs, and is clearly the fittest athlete, frustrating sides with his rapid running between the wickets.
Additionally, the element of recruitment they nailed. Their middle order was their biggest issue last season, with Ollie Davies, Alex Ross, Tom Kohler-Cadmore all making starts but unable to capitalise.
So they recruited experienced Englishman Sam Billings on a three-year deal, who understands Australian conditions supremely well.
Most of the superstar imports for hire leave midway for the ILT20 in the UAE and the SA20 in South Africa, but receiving the services of a proven match-winner for the entire tournament was a huge win.
Early wickets in the powerplay are crucial for any team, so the Thunder made a smart move by recruiting one of the fastest bowlers on the planet, Kiwi Lockie Ferguson.
Under Trevor Bayliss the Thunder have now found an identity — a team full of resilience.
Who could forget one of the bravest BBL wins of all-time, when the Thunder chased down 177 at the Furnace earlier this year?
Coming into the game the Thunder were huge underdogs, which is no surprise when a side comes over to play in the west.
At that stage, the Scorchers had won 20 out of the last 23 games at Optus Stadium over a four-year period.
When two key players, Cameron Bancroft and Daniel Sams, were involved in a sickening head-on collision while going for the ball in the outfield, the challenge seemed insurmountable.
But what they’ve managed to do all season is find a way, with players standing up and filling the void.
Matthew Gilkes played a gutsy knock alongside Warner, while West Indian Sherfane Rutherford struggled in the BBL this season, but displayed why the Thunder recruited him, hitting a blistering 39 off 19 deliveries striking at over 200.
Another player who has stepped up is Tom Andrews, a financial planner who was playing grade cricket in South Australia before being called in to replace the injured Tanveer Sangha.
The Thunder camp could’ve gone safe and picked up a youngster in NSW grade cricket, but decided to put faith in a 30-year-old at his third BBL club.
Andrews repaid the trust, picking up a wicket in all of his matches that he’s bowled in, holding up an end with his accurate left-arm orthodox bowling.
Born in the Northern Territory, Andrews has been one of the best pick-ups of the season, alongside Hurricanes all-rounder Mitchell Owen, having an economy rate of less than seven an over.
He can not only do it with the ball, but pumped 37 off 13 deliveries in their second match against the Scorchers — a match-winning knock with the bat.
Sydney Thunder General Manager Trent Copeland said on The Surge podcast, “Everything that l set out to achieve is that on our best day no one can beat us.”
And it’s certainly been true this season for the Thunder — even if it doesn’t eventuate to raising a trophy — they now stand for something.
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