Usman Khawaja has re-signed to join a talent-stacked batting line-up assembled to reverse the Sydney Thunder’s dismal Big Bash League fortunes.
Newly committed for two more seasons, Khawaja will form a potent quartet of left-handers in the top order with David Warner, Mike Hussey and England’s Eoin Morgan alongside Australian Test and one-day captain Michael Clarke.
Khawaja was the standout batsman for the Thunder team which finished last in the eight-team competition after failing to win any of their matches last season but he was confident things could be very different this summer.
“A lot of work has taken place in the past few months to re-build the Thunder squad and, with the talent that is available, I’m confident that the team will go into this season’s BBL in a positive frame of mind,” said Khawaja.
“The management have made some shrewd signings and I’m looking forward to working closely with Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey to build a strong culture at the club and to work closely with the younger players to create a winning attitude.”
Hoping for a call up for the Ashes series next month, Khawaja has been in great form in this month’s Ryobi Cup interstate one-day competition, posting three scores in the sixties out of four innings for Queensland.
The Thunder start their campaign with a derby match against the Sydney Sixers at the SCG on December 21.
The Thunder contracted list: Michael Clarke (capt), Mike Hussey, Cameron Borgas, Ryan Carters, Scott Coyte, Luke Doran, Luke Feldman, Jason Floros, Daniel Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Eoin Morgan, Dirk Nannes, Kurtis Patterson, Gurinder Sandhu, Chris Tremain, David Warner.