Chris Green urges Sydney Thunder to maintain momentum
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Chris Green urges Sydney Thunder to maintain momentum
Sydney Thunder’s Acting Captain Chris Green said his team will head into Saturday’s KFC Big Bash League match against the Melbourne Renegades determined to capitalise on the momentum that has propelled them to four consecutive wins.
After recording their second victory of the season over the top of the table Perth Scorchers, Green said it was pleasing to think Sydney Thunder still had room for improvement.
“We’re playing great cricket, but we haven’t played that perfect game yet,” said Green.” We’ve shown glimpses of it, which is exciting.
“It’s good because you obviously don’t want to play your best cricket too early, you still want to learn a lot and I think we still are learning a lot along the way.”
However, Green admitted defeating the competition’s trailblazers, Perth, was a gauge of where Thunder sits.
“When I spoke after our previous win over Scorchers this season, I said that they’ve been the form team this tournament and playing really good cricket,” he said.
“So, it’s great to get that test early on and see where you’re at. With that in mind, to walk away with two-from-two is a fantastic effort.
“I thought our win over Perth on the Gold Coast was a very good team performance, an all-round performance.
“Yes, there was some individual class - particularly Gurinder Sandhu’s four wickets which included a hattrick - but it was pleasing to see that the youngsters Matt Gilkes, Jason Sangha, and Ollie Davies again contributed.
“I’m really happy with our efforts because we’re letting our bat and ball do our talking.
“I’m pleased with how we went and how we’re going. As a team Thunder is playing with a smile on our face.”
Green said he’d welcome tomorrow night’s match at Marvel Stadium against a Melbourne Renegades outfit that will be determined to take down Thunder.
“The Renegades have come off a number of wins and are playing good cricket,” he said. “They’ll want to knock us off . . . we have a bigger target on our back now and we’re going to enjoy that challenge.”
Green paid tribute to Sam Billings and Saqib Mahmood who have returned to England to prepare for their roles in the national team's One Day International tour of the West Indies.
“Sam and Saqib were brilliant on and off the field,” he said. “They genuinely cared about this team, and that’s a credit to Thunder’s culture.
“They slotted in and were also made to feel a part of it, and made to develop the same care as we have.”
Green acknowledged that while the pair would be missed, Thunder had plenty of quality players waiting to be given their shot.
“Muhammad Hasnain couldn’t play in Queensland because of border restrictions, but we saw what he's capable of when he took three wickets in the first over of his debut for us,” said Green. “He’s a great replacement for Saqib.
“We have such great depth in our squad . . . to have someone of Brendan Doggett’s class to have played only one game so far says a lot. And we have Alex Ross coming back soon . . . Sam Whiteman . . . we have a lot of guys waiting for their opportunity.”
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