David Warner and Steve Smith’s inclusions for both of their upcoming games was confirmed, with the latter to bat first drop, while the Melbourne Stars floated a few changes.
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The Sydney Thunder confirmed their 15-man squad for Friday’s game with the Perth Scorchers at Sydney Showgrounds, with David Warner ($204k BAT) confirmed in.
Thunder captain Chris Green talked up Warner’s inclusion. He said: “We’re very excited to have David join us. His experience allied with the threat he poses to any bowling attack when he’s at the crease in our upcoming five games, will fill the holes left by Hales and Rossouw.”
Warner spoke to the media on Thursday and brushed off any suggestion of him not opening the batting. He said: “I’ve done that (batted down the order) in the past for Australia at a World Cup and it didn’t go to well. For me when I’m opening, I’m at my best. I love opening the batting.”
Blake Nikitaras ($42k BAT) also comes in with Alex Hales departed for the ILT20, while Toby Gray drops out, having been a local replacement player.
The Scorchers have named unchanged 14-man squad for their next two games, both on the road in Sydney.
Thunder: Cutting, J. Davies, O. Davies, Doggett, Gilkes, Green (c), Holt, McAndrew, Nikitaras, Pawson, Usman Qadir, Ross, Sams, Warner, Whiteman
Scorchers squad: Agar, Bancroft, Behrendorff, Connolly, Eskinazi, Hardie, Hatzoglou, Hobson, Inglis, Kelly, Morris, Payne, Tye, Turner (c)
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Steve Smith ($180k BAT) is set to return for the Sydney Sixers next round and he confirmed his batting role. Smith said: “I think I’ll be replacing Vince in the top 3, who played really well. Hopefully I can replicate something like he was able to do.”
The Melbourne Stars face the Melbourne Renegades next round in the derby at Marvel Stadium, with coach Dave Hussey revealing Brody Couch ($105k BWL) is set to play.
Hussey said: “He’s definitely in the running now. I think we’re going to target Saturday night at Marvel Stadium, long and straight boundaries and he bowls a very good yorker. Watch this space.”
He also discussed James Seymour ($63k BAT) potentially moving up the order, having impressed a few times down the order. He said: “It’s something that we the coaching staff discussed about him batting higher and it’s something that we’ll mix and match for the rest of the year.”
