BBL 2019, Sydney Thunder preview, predictions, likely starting XI: After summer of upheaval, Sydney Thunder have their work cut out

After a middling campaign in BBL 8, Sydney Thunder went about changing the things that needed fixing in the off-season. They got themselves a new, interesting coach – former New Zealand international Shane Bond – and ahead of the new season, confidence is high, as is the intrigue.

The biggest positive for Thunder in the off-season was the nature of their acquisitions. They brought in proven international names in England opener Alex Hales and South Africa all-rounder Chris Morris. Both players will be available for the duration of the tournament, and will fill the gaps in the squad that were present last season.

Also adding to the team’s positives for the coming season is the availability of Usman Khawaja. The left-hand bat has been out of favour with the Australia Test side, and that’ll work out to Thunder’s advantage. He is expected to be available for the whole tournament, and has a glorious record in the BBL.

Apart from those three, the squad is largely filled with hungry youngsters. It is up to the three internationals to ensure the spine is solid, and allow the youngsters the space to play freely and express themselves.

It makes it an interesting season for Thunder, and it’ll make for an interesting viewing to see how the squad cope after the massive outflow from last season – the likes of Joe Root, Pat Cummins, Kurtis Patterson, Anton Devcich and Chris Jordan are no longer with the team.

The onus is, therefore, on the youngsters. How they shape up will affect the team’s performance this season. However they do, it’ll be interesting, to say the least.

Players to watch

Alex Hales is a definite in this list. Hales is out of the England side following his alleged use of a banned substance, but he has recently spoken of how hungry he is to work his way back into the national squad. With the T20 World Cup approaching, these franchise T20 tournaments are important to send a reminder to the national selectors about your qualities, and Hales will be hoping to do just that.

Usman Khawaja is another player out of international reckoning for the time being. He is a quality player, but for various reasons, he remains out of favour with the Australian side. That’s good news for Thunder. They’ll bear the benefits of Khawaja’s determination to work his way back into the Australian squad.

Tanveer Sangha has been touted by Shane Bond, in his interview with cricket.com.au, as the player to watch from his team this season. The young leg-spinner will have to fill the sizeable boots of Fawad Ahmed, and at just 19, that’s quite a task. However, Bond expects big things from him, and that doesn’t come lightly.

Likely starting XI: Usman Khawaja, Alex Hales, Callum Ferguson, Jason Sangha, Matt Gilkes, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Nathan McAndrew, Chris Morris, Chris Green, Chris Tremain

Prediction

There’s been a lot of flux in the Thunder squad, and as optimistic as they are, they have had a significant quality drain. Expect another middling season from them – perhaps a finish at 5^th place.

Squad: Jonathan Cook, Oliver Davies, Brendan Doggett, Callum Ferguson, Matt Gilkes, Chris Green, Alex Hales, Usman Khawaja, Jay Lenton, Nathan McAndrew, Chris Morris, Arjun Nair, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Gurinder Sandhu, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, Chris Tremain