Mike Hussey had to fail for the Thunder to become aware of how poor their position was.
Beating the Renegades in itself is a minor achievement, but beating them as badly as they did is a major one.
Young Gurinder Sandhu had a breakout night. He varies his speeds better than most bowlers in the Big Bash.
He can go from 90 to 140 and everywhere in between and he never gives you the same ball twice.
People may knock his progress but he has all the hallmarks of a Major League Baseball pitcher.
He can fire a yorker past you and he has several speeds of bouncer.
He can get the ball up around your throat.
Bowlers in Big Bash have a tendency to maintain the same speed six balls in a row. Bowlers do this in Tests and ODI cricket as well.
Mitchell Johnson showed how valuable a change of pace can be in the recent Ashes series.
Ajantha Mendis, Dirk Nannes and all the Thunder bowlers did a great job.
The fielding was also much improved and I didn’t notice any glitches with the running between wickets this time.
While the Big Bash is fresh and new and there are only a handful of games to play, it still requires a great deal of passion. It also requires professionalism, which must have a lot to do with Mike Hussey.
Considering the Renegades’ poor performance, the next game for the Thunder will be much harder.
The second Sydney franchise is obviously crucial to Cricket Australia’s crucial plans.
To help themselves out, the Thunder should look to players like Shane Watson, Steve Smith and Nathan Lyon to boost their squad.
Right now, so much relies on the opening partnership of Usman Khawaja and Tillakaratne Dilshan. After Hussey there is very little left in the batting department.
If they want to go further into the future, they will need to boost their squad, particularly their batting lineup.
Jacko
Guest
The signing of Watson, Smith and Lyon would not be of any benefit due to limited game time and national team commitments. The Thunder should be looking to spend their money more wisely. ie. No Clarke and Warner who don't play any matches. Find international players that can play all matches, not a select few, so that the team is not forking out cash on 4 internationals, but 2. Increasing batting depth by scouting first grade players, not rookies.
Praveen
Guest
Good article , and you are absolutely correct in that too much relies on khawaja, Dilshan and hussey, hussy and khawaja in particular have got all the runs for thunder and thunder must improve its Barron depth next season