Former Australian cricketer David Warner has inked a new two-year contract with Sydney Thunder, meaning he will be available for the entire Big Bash League (BBL) season. In addition, Steve Smith committed to a new three-year deal with the Sydney Sixers.
Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey have also re-signed with the Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers, respectively, ahead of the upcoming season of the prestigious competition. It is important to note that Australia’s Test players will be accessible from the conclusion of the Sydney Test match against India until the team’s departure on January 21, 2025, the first day of the BBL’s knockout rounds, for the Sri Lanka tour.
Regarding David Warner, the former hitter participated in eight games for Thunder over his final two BBL seasons.
The 37-year-old will have a set schedule for the BBL after announcing his retirement from international cricket. He is anticipated to be available for play the entire season.
According to Trent Copeland, general manager of the Thunder, “Davey is popular wherever he plays, right around the world, particularly in India and I know the South Asian communities in Sydney’s west will get right behind him at Thunder,” ESPNcricinfo reported.
“Now that he has retired from international cricket, we can count on Davey’s full focus and commitment for the entire tournament, including the finals. He is a world-class talent with nearly 20 years of T20 experience,” the speaker continued.
In addition, Steve Smith will be eligible to play in four Sixers games during the tournament. One of those games may be a matchup with Sydney Thunder, in which he may meet David Warner. Smith acknowledged that he had no immediate plans to retire from international cricket, but he might play a full season in the BBL if he makes that decision shortly.
“At the moment, I’m just enjoying playing; I don’t have any plans. I’m looking forward to this summer and am quite relaxed. India presents a formidable opponent; they are a formidable side. We believe we are the two strongest Test teams in the world when we play each other over the course of five Tests. That excites me, Smith remarked.
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