Latest news with #SydneyThunder
Daily Mail
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Aussie cricket great lashes out after brutal brawl at multicultural match that was supposed to promote diversity sees players banned for 13 YEARS
Former Australian Test cricketer Trent Copeland has lashed out at a number of players involved in a brawl during a multicultural competition in Sydney's west after they were hit with staggering bans. Athlete turned sports administrator Copeland is the Sydney Thunder general manager - and the Big Bash franchise have staged the Thunder Nation Cup for the past 12 years. Whether it continues in the same format remains to be seen following wild scenes in a semi-final last year between teams representing India and Afghanistan. Punches were exchanged on field - and reportedly off the field as well. Following the chaotic scenes, the match was abandoned and both teams were disqualified from the competition. Indian players Arun Chauhan and Goldy Kotia and Afghani player Hilal Tawakal were all banned by Cricket NSW integrity for 42 months each. Amanjyot Singh and Mohan Pannu - both from the Indian XI - received suspensions of 12 and 18 months respectively. Copeland made no apologies for the heavy bans, which totalled 13 years. 'The significance of the sanctions is the message. If you look at those you will understand how seriously we take improper conduct, Copeland told News Corp. 'Cricket is a safe space and we just don't stand for anything like that. 'The purpose of Thunder Nation Cup is to create a fostering environment for people who don't have English as their first spoken language or have just migrated to Australia and are finding a place or connection with other people through cricket. 'I've never seen suspensions to this degree. But there's a streamlined (integrity) process and it's quite obvious this is where it needed to land.' Copeland also confirmed a review will be conducted into the format of the popular park cricket competition.
Express Tribune
04-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
About Tanveer Sangha, Australia's surprise inclusion in semi-final against India
Australia's decision to include young leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha in their squad for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy semi-final against India has surprised many. The 21-year-old, of Indian descent, has been making waves in domestic cricket but had yet to make his mark on the international stage before his selection. Sangha, having played only 3 ODIs prior to Tuesday's match, is still inexperienced at the highest level. Born in Sydney to Indian and Fijian parents, Sangha's journey to the Australian national team has been nothing short of remarkable. His father, Joga Singh, a taxi driver, hails from a village near Jalandhar, Punjab, while his mother, Upjeet Kaur, works as an accountant in Sydney. Despite his roots, Sangha's cricketing aspirations were always tied to Australia, where he honed his craft from a young age. Sangha first gained attention when he emerged as Australia's leading wicket-taker in the 2020 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, picking up 15 wickets at an impressive average of 11.46. His performances led to a state contract with New South Wales at just 18 years old, and he quickly climbed the ranks, making his Big Bash League debut for Sydney Thunder in 2020. He finished as the tournament's third-highest wicket-taker, claiming 21 scalps at an economy of just over eight runs per over. His rapid rise continued when he was named in Australia's T20I squad for their series against New Zealand in 2021, and he made his international debut in August 2023 against South Africa. Sangha announced himself with a stunning 4-31 in four overs, the best figures by an Australian on T20I debut in nearly two decades. At 21, he became the youngest Australian to claim four wickets in a T20I. Sangha's ability to turn the ball sharply, coupled with his fearless approach, made him a valuable asset for Australia heading into the 2023 World Cup. His selection highlights the team's faith in young talent and their need for quality spin options in subcontinental conditions. As Sangha steps onto the global stage, all eyes will be on the young spinner to see if he can make a lasting impact on cricket's biggest stage.
The National
08-02-2025
- Sport
- The National
ILT20: David Warner fit for final against Desert Vipers as Dubai Capitals eye first major trophy for GMR
David Warner will be fit to help Dubai Capitals push for a first DP World International League T20 title when they face Desert Vipers in the final on Sunday. The Australian great has played just one match in the competition so far, after arriving from playing at the Big Bash League. Despite such limited exposure, he has already had a significant impact on the event. In that match, against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, he hit 93 not out from 57 balls. It set the Capitals up for the second biggest total in the competition and a victory, but Warner missed the following two matches due to a back injury. The Capitals played three matches in the course of four days, with Warner sitting out the latter two. They thrived despite his absence, striking two psychological blows ahead of the final. First, they beat the Vipers by nine wickets in the final match of the league phase. Then, on Wednesday, they beat the same opposition in a final-ball thriller to become the first team through to the showpiece fixture at Dubai International Stadium. The Vipers subsequently made it through in their second-chance qualifier against Sharjah Warriorz on Friday night. It mean Warner said the previous fixtures between the side will count for nothing in the final, though. 'When you've beaten them a couple of times, that's the scary part,' Warner said. 'Sometimes that momentum can break. Hopefully, that doesn't happen and we can continue our form. 'They have a powerhouse batting line-up, so for us, it's all about taking early wickets, sticking to our basics and plans with the ball.' Each of the sides have been runners up in the previous two seasons of the UAE's franchise competition. The Vipers were the losing finalists in the first season, against Gulf Giants back in 2023, while the Capitals lost out to MI Emirates 12 months later. Having been part of the Vipers side in the first campaign, Sam Billings switched to the Capitals last season. The Capitals captain is looking to avoid a hat-trick of final defeats. As with Warner, he was a late arrival after playing at the BBL. The duo played together for Sydney Thunder in that event in Australia, and Billings is happy to have the 38-year-old opener back available for selection. 'It was a real blessing that we had a few extra days to rest up [after winning their place in the final by winning the first qualifier on Wednesday],' Billings said. 'He is a quality performer. [We played] together at the Big Bash [for Sydney Thunder] this year and got through to the final, and he showed his class. 'People were starting to write him off, but actually I think he has played some of his best cricket in recent times. Any team that David Warner is in is a stronger team for it. 'He is a big game player and I have no doubt he is the sort of guy who will step up tomorrow. That is what I am hoping for.' If the Capitals do claim the title it would be the first win in a major franchise tournament for their owners, GMR. They also own the Delhi franchise of the same name in the Indian Premier League, whose best result was finishing runners up in the 2020 IPL – the final of which was also played in Dubai. While the Capitals are welcoming back one of their key players, the Vipers will be without two major assets of their own. Lockie Ferguson, their captain, is nursing a hamstring strain, and will not be risked with a view to national duty with New Zealand in the Champions Trophy later this month. Wanindu Hasaranga has also departed the squad because of international commitments with Sri Lanka. Ferguson did at least complete the pre-final formalities in his role as captain, but will now hand over the leadership duties to Sam Curran for the match. 'From day one we have all enjoyed being a part of the squad, and the family we have created has translated on the field,' Ferguson said. 'The Dubai Capitals are an exceptional team, and I think the top two teams in the competition have made it to the final.' Despite the loss of Ferguson and Hasaranga, the Vipers still have plenty of experience to call on, with Mohammed Amir leading their bowling attack. 'I love big stages, so why not? I want to be a part of the champion team,' Amir said. 'This [ILT20] is on my bucket list. I have won 2009 T20 World Cup, the ICC Champions Trophy, PSL, CPL, T10. And now I want to win this tournament.'
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘High-quality': Ponting's plea for Aussie call-up
World Cup winning former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has called for Big Bash final hero Mitch Owen to be parachuted into Australia's Champions Trophy squad as a replacement for injured all-rounder Mitch Marsh. While Aaron Hardie looms as a sound like-for-like replacement in the best Australian team for the ODI tournament that begins in Pakistan later this month, Ponting says Owen could take the spot in the 15-player squad left open by Marsh's withdrawal. Owen, 23, blasted on to the national radar with the equal-fastest Big Bash century of all time as he steered the Hobart Hurricanes to a famous home win over the Sydney Thunder. It also earnt him a first international contract with Paarl Royal in the SA20 league, and he has already shown his bowling prowess, taking three wickets with his medium pace. Mitch Owen off the mark on debut! 🔥💗 — Paarl Royals (@paarlroyals) February 1, 2025 While former Australian opener David Warner said there were other players in front of Owen for a national call-up, former selector Mark Waugh said Owen's name should be in discussions. And now Ponting, who was the head of strategy for the Hurricanes as well as being a T20 coach in leagues around the world, said Owen was 'suited' as a replacement for Marsh. 'I'm not sure which way they'll go to be honest,' Ponting said on The ICC Review. 'I don't know if you guys have been watching the BBL (Big Bash League), but we've had one young kid that's just emerged out of nowhere, a kid called Mitch Owen, who has opened the batting for the Hobart Hurricanes. 'He's also an all-rounder, probably more suited (as a replacement for Marsh). 'I mean, Mitch Marsh has batted in the top three in one-day cricket, mostly in the last couple of years anyway. 'Mitch Owen has opened the batting in T20 cricket and opened the batting for Tasmania in the (domestic ODI competition) Marsh Cup this season. EQUAL-FASTEST BBL HUNDRED 😱Mitch Owen has just brought up a BBL century off 39 balls! # — KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 27, 2025 'Look, honestly, I'd be surprised if it is him, but I think the selectors now know that there is a really high-quality replacement there.' Ponting said there were 'holes' in the Australian middle order that needed to be filled 'pretty quickly'. Another all-rounder, Cameron Green, is nearing a return from back surgery that ruled him out of the home summer. But selectors have said he'll most likely return for Australia's World Test Championship showdown with South Africa in June. 'I'm finally starting to see the end of the tunnel, happy to get running and batting and starting to feel more like a cricketer now,' Green said at the Australian Cricket Awards on Monday. 'It's been a nice break, but I'm ready to get back into it now.' Australia's Champion Trophy squad: Pat Cummins (c), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
Reuters
28-01-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Owen puts Australia selectors on notice with BBL title-sealing ton
MELBOURNE, Jan 28 (Reuters) - The sky is the limit for Mitchell Owen after his "life-changing" century sealed a maiden title for the Hobart Hurricanes in Australia's Big Bash League, according to captain Nathan Ellis. Owen blasted 108 off 42 balls as the Hurricanes mowed down a tough chase of 183 set by the Sydney Thunder to secure the T20 trophy in front of delighted fans at Bellerive Oval late on Monday. Reaching 100 in 39 balls in a clinic of clean hitting, Owen matched the fastest BBL century, set by former Perth Scorchers opener Craig Simmons in 2014. "It was pretty special innings and surreal for him having the whole of Ninja (Bellerive) Stadium chanting, 'Mitch Owen'," Ellis said after the Hurricanes' seven-wicket win. "He went another level tonight," Ellis added. "I'm really proud of him and excited for him that he's going to have a pretty good next couple of days and soak up what has been a pretty life-changing tournament for him." "He'll have white-ball cricket coming at him all over the world now so I'm excited for what's to come for him and it feels like the sky's the limit." As a relatively obscure middle order batter, Owen had never been in conversations about playing for Australia but the 23-year-old's promotion to the top of the Hurricanes' order this season has put his name in lights. He is the only player to notch two centuries in this edition of the BBL, having also scored 101 off 64 balls against the Scorchers. He also topped the runs list with 452 at an average of 45.20, ahead of Sydney Thunder captain David Warner, the recently retired Australia great. The 6ft-4in (1.94m) batter's rise is timely given Australia's selectors are looking for new blood to carry the T20 squad forward, with the next World Cup scheduled in just over a year's time in India and Sri Lanka. Australia's ageing squad failed to make the semi-finals of last year's T20 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States and West Indies. Owen paid tribute to Ellis and the Hurricanes' coach Jeff Vaughan for their support. "I was just super clear when I went out there, I knew what I wanted to do and needed to do, and I was lucky enough it paid off," he said of the his batting heroics. "All I wanted to do was lift that trophy. I was actually disappointed to get out - I wanted to be able to hit the winning runs and get us home a little bit easier, so I didn't have to sit there a bit nervous. "But it's super special, it's a childhood dream and I'm so grateful."
