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David Warner under fire as $340,000 move backfires brutally in BBL

The Sydney Thunder opener has made over $5000 per run in five games so far this season.

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·4-min read
David Warner, pictured here after making just two for the Sydney Thunder against the Melbourne Stars.
David Warner made just two for the Sydney Thunder against the Melbourne Stars. Image: Getty

Cricket fans have shredded David Warner's performance in a five-game BBL stint for the Sydney Thunder after the veteran opener failed again on Wednesday night. Warner made just two from three balls as the Thunder beat the Melbourne Stars by three wickets at Marvel Stadium.

The 36-year-old has looked out of sorts in five games for the Thunder so far this season. On Wednesday night he played an uncontrolled pull shot off a wide ball from Luke Wood, lobbing an easy catch to Tom Rogers at mid-wicket.

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In five innings so far this season, Warner has produced scores of 19, 0, 26, 16 and 2. It certainly hasn't been the return the Thunder and Cricket Australia were envisioning when they convinced Warner to end a nine-year absence and return to the BBL this season.

Cricket Australia reportedly paid $340,000 for what was supposed to be a five-game stint before Warner departed to India for next month's Test series. But with the Test side recently changing plans and opting to fly out later, Warner will also be available for Friday night's elimination clash with the Brisbane Heat.

Nevertheless, Warner's return of 63 runs in five matches at an average of 12.6 means he has earned about $5397 per run. Cricket fans have been quick to call out Warner's poor form and the fact that CA's $340,000 gamble seems to have backfired.

Sydney Thunder seeking deep run in BBL finals

Warner is set to depart after Friday night's game, but the Thunder have been boosted by the return of all-rounder Jason Sangha. The Thunder sealed their place in the finals with Wednesday night's win, knocking the Hobart Hurricanes out in the process,.

The Thunder will host the Heat at Sydney Showground Stadium on Friday night in 'The Eliminator'. And Sangha is confident it won't be their final game this season.

"Looking back at our season, it has been a bit of a rollercoaster," Sangha said. "The one good thing is we've managed to find a way in those tight situations, we're just finding ways to win.

"In the finals series, all you need is a couple of things to go your way. For us going forward is just recognising those key moments in a game."

Chris Green and Jason Sangha, pictured here celebrating a wicket against the Melbourne Stars.
Chris Green and Jason Sangha celebrate a wicket against the Melbourne Stars. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Sangha played his first game on Wednesday night since breaking his collarbone on December 18. Despite being named captain before the season, Sangha chose to leave Chris Green in the role against the Stars.

"Honestly, the batting, we need to rectify it," Green said on Wednesday night. "It wasn't good enough unfortunately.

"I think to creep in and have a crack now at finals is exciting for us. We have taken them (Thunder fans) on our rollercoaster journey this season.

"But (the Heat) are a side we beat twice this season already. We know they are playing good cricket at the back end and we know we will have to play good cricket to beat them."

BBL finals schedule:

  • 'The Eliminator' - Sydney Thunder (4) v Brisbane Heat (5), Sydney Showground Stadium, Friday, 7:15pm

  • 'The Qualifier' - Perth Scorchers (1) v Sydney Sixers (2), Optus Stadium, Saturday, 4:15pm AWST

  • 'The Knockout' - Melbourne Renegades (3) v winner of 'The Eliminator', Marvel Stadium, Sunday 7:15pm AEDT

with AAP

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