David Warner slams first BBL fifty in 11 years

Sydney Thunder skipper David Warner has slammed his first Big Bash League (BBL) fifty in 11 years. He brought up his half-century off 40 deliveries against the Melbourne Renegades at the Sydney Showground Stadium on December 30 (Monday).

He consolidated from there on as he scored 36 from the next 17 balls to finish unbeaten on 86 off 57, with 10 fours and two sixes punctuating his innings. The last time he scored a fifty before today was in December 2023 against the Sydney Sixers at the SCG. After that, he did not play in the tournament for nine years, turning up for the Thunder again in the 2022-23 season and 2023-24, playing under Chris Green's leadership 

However, once he called time on his international career, Warner was named captain of Thunder ahead of the 2024-25 edition. 

In the ongoing season, Warner has scored 123 runs at a strike rate of 146.42 so far. In their three matches in the tournament, Thunder have won two and lost one. A win in this game will take them to second in the BBL table, behind the Sixers.