Usman Khawaja appointed Sydney Thunder skipper ahead of BBL 11

Sydney Thunder have confirmed that long-time servant of the club and fan favorite Usman Khawaja has been appointed skipper for the 2021/22 edition of the Big Bash League that will commence on December 5th. 

Khawaja replaces Callum Ferguson, who was let go by the Thunder following the tenth edition of the season in which they finished third in the group stages before losing to Brisbane Heat in the ‘Knockout’ stage of the competition. 

“It’s a great privilege to be captain of any team, but for me especially being captain of Sydney Thunder probably means a little more,” Khawaja said in an official statement posted by the Thunder.

“I grew up in Western Sydney, about ten minutes from where the Thunder play at Sydney Showground Stadium, and even though I now live in Queensland I have never forgotten where I come from.

“The majority of my close friends are from Western Sydney and I have that strong emotional connection with club and the region. It’s very close to my heart.”

Khawaja did not enjoy the greatest of seasons with the bat in BBL 10, averaging a mere 24.14, but the 34-year-old led Queensland to the Sheffield Shield title in April after the Bulls overcame the New South Wales threat at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane. 

It’s been 5 years since the Thunder last won the BBL, and thus having previously led the Thunder to BBL glory as a player, Khawaja asserted that his primary goal as captain will be to make Sydney Thunder BBL champions once again.

“It’s been five years since we won the BBL and that’s what it’s about, winning titles,” he said.

“If I can help us get there, that’s the biggest goal for a captain, supporting every player to get the best out of themselves so that a team is in a position to win. We are building towards that.”

The Thunder will kick-start their BBL 11 campaign versus Brisbane Heat in Canberra on December 6th.