Australia’s star opener David Warner returned to Big Bash League (BBL) after a long gap of nine years. Warner was expected to boost Sydney Thunder’s batting lineup but the opener could not make an impact. The southpaw scored just 19 runs from 20 deliveries as Thunder registered another low score in the ongoing BBL 2022-23.
Against Perth Scorchers, Warner opened the innings alongside Matthew Gilkes who got out for a duck. Scorchers skipper Ashton Turner won the toss and opted to field first. Turner got the early wickets he wanted as Sam Whiteman got out for a single-digit score as well and Thunder found themselves struggling at 3/2 in the second over.
Oliver Davies came to bat at no.4 and took most of the strike in the bowling powerplay overs (four overs). Warner played just five deliveries and scored six runs during this period. While Davies neared his half-century, Warner found just two boundaries in the first nine overs. Matthew Kelly got Warner's wicket in the 10th over. The southpaw under-edged the ball in an attempt to pull but it found Josh Inglis' gloves.
After Warner's wicket, Davies got to his half-century but Thunder suffered a collapse and got all out for 111. Chasing a non-threatening target, table-toppers Scorchers won the game by nine wickets with 43 balls to spare.
Sydney Thunder are currently placed fifth on the points table. They have had a topsy-turvy season as they registered the lowest ever total in T20 cricket and the highest ever in BBL history.
Warner has had a short BBL career. In his BBL debut, he smashed an unbeaten 102 off just 50 deliveries against Melbourne Stars which featured late leg-spin wizard Shane Warne. He played just one game in the inaugural season. In the next season, he played one game as well but bagged a golden duck in Sydney derby. In his last BBL appearance in third edition, he scored a half-century.
“It’s incredibly exciting to have a player of David Warner’s calibre return to Thunder, and, indeed the Big Bash League,” Head of Thunder Andrew Gilchrist had said in a statement.
“He’s a great player, a great person, and a great family man. Thunder Nation can’t wait to see him light up the Sydney Showground Stadium, Manuka Oval and everywhere else we play during our run home.”
