Captain Warner is ‘loud, obnoxious’. The boys love it
By Dan Walsh
Sydney Thunder coach Trevor Bayliss doesn’t hesitate, nor need a leading question when asked the key difference in a finals-bound dressing room, a year on from owning the worst Big Bash record in a decade.
“David Warner,” Bayliss deadpans.
“The job he’s done as captain, it’s not just about his batting, it’s his personality. He’s always up for it, he’s a positive character. Loud, obnoxious sometimes. But the boys love it.
“He engages with everyone and out on the field, everyone’s got confidence that he obviously knows the game and the [tactical] moves he’s made have, most of the time, been good ones.
“He’s a proactive captain, proactive captains seem to know what’s about to happen and make a fielding change before it happens.”
Redemption arcs abound in Wednesday’s BBL knock-out final. Glenn Maxwell has powered Melbourne Stars’ rise from an 0-5 start. The Thunder went 1-7 last season, the worst return of any side since the same outfit failed to muster a win in 2012-13.
Either way, the never-ending Warner narrative and accompanying spotlight were always good odds of defining the Thunder’s campaign.
David Warner of the Sydney Thunder. Credit: Getty Images
Stars win the toss and elect to bat
Quality bat flip from the young bloke in the middle.
Marcus Stoinis win the toss and sends David Warner’s Thunder side into bat on what looks to be a dry surface at Engie Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park.
Hello and welcome
By Tom Decent
G’day cricket fans.
Welcome to our live blog of tonight’s BBL finals match between the Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars.
It’s Tom Decent in the blogging chair tonight from Sydney Olympic Park. A bit overcast but no danger of rain.
Winner of tonight’s match goes through to a preliminary final (or whatever it’s called) against the Sydney Sixers at the SCG on Friday night.
First ball at 7.30pm AEDT.
Sydney Thunder captain David Warner. Credit: Getty Images
