Jos Buttler: “I’ve watched the competition go from strength to strength to become one of the best competitions in the world”
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
The Sydney Thunder have significantly bolstered their batting line-up by signing England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler for the upcoming edition of the Big Bash League (BBL).
Buttler last played in the BBL back in 2013/14, where he represented the Melbourne Renegades in five games and scored 130 runs, which included a half-century, at an average of 26 and a strike-rate of 151.16.
The 27-year-old is set to be available for the first six games of the 2017/18 BBL before he will join up with England for their ODI and Twenty20 Internationals against Australia and New Zealand.
“I’m really excited. I’ve played in the BBL once before, ahead of England’s last ODI tour to Australia,” Buttler said. “I’ve watched the competition go from strength to strength to become one of the best competitions in the world. The crowds are fantastic and there’s a big family emphasis which creates a great atmosphere.
“Eoin Morgan is a good friend, he had two seasons with the club and he spoke really highly of everyone and said I’d have a brilliant time.
“I’m excited to get stuck in and make some friendships. One of the great things about these tournaments is meeting new players and learning from guys and creating friendships all over the world.”
Michael Hussey, the Thunder’s director of cricket, was over the moon to have acquired the services of Buttler and believes that the Somerset native will enjoy a lot of success during his second stint in the tournament.
“We’re very excited to have Jos as part of the team,” he said. “He’s a quality player who provides us with plenty of flexibility. He can bat at the top of the order like he does for the Mumbai Indians (in the Indian Premier League) and also in the middle order.
“We’ve done a lot of homework and asked around and all the feedback we’ve heard is that he’s a fantastic character that will add a lot to the dressing room.
“We know we’re going to lose him for the second half of the season but we have a strategy in place for that. I feel that we’re well placed to start the tournament well and it’s important to get a few wins on the board early as it can get pretty close late on.”
The Thunder get their BBL campaign underway against the Sydney Sixers on December 19.