David Warner will play the full Big Bash with the Sydney Thunder for the next two seasons

As the Big Bash struggles to get full commitments from the world’s best T20 players, David Warner has come to the rescue.

Gun for hire David Warner has committed his summers to Australia and will play the entire BBL with the Sydney Thunder for the next two years making the domestic competition his January priority ahead of other T20 leagues.

Warner, who is playing in a little-known T10 competition in the Cayman Islands, looms as a major drawcard for the tournament that has spent years struggling to ensure the best Australians suit up.

Fully retired from international cricket, Warner could find himself in a showdown with former Australian teammate Steve Smith in the Sydney derby in late January, one of only three possible games the Test opener could feature in for the Sydney Sixers.

Warner, 37, played just two games for the Thunder after his Test retirement last summer before playing in the International League T20 in the United Arab Emirates.

But there’s no chance of an early exit this season, with Thunder general manager Trent Copeland saying his club had pulled off the “biggest signing” of the BBL in recent memory.

“Who better to announce is coming back to Western Sydney and Sydney Thunder on the day BBL tickets go on sale than David Warner,” Copeland said.

Sign superstar ✅#ThanksThor#ThunderNationpic.twitter.com/31mSZzsJny

— Sydney Thunder (@ThunderBBL) August 20, 2024

“We are a family club with strong links to the areas we represent, and Davey is a very proud family man who engages within our community like few others.

“In Davey we get a world-class talent with almost 20 years of T20 experience and now that he has retired from international cricket, we can count on his full focus and commitment for the entire tournament, including the finals.”

Warner said he’d always been a part of the Thunder and there was a “great bunch of people” to be involved with.

“I really liked the environment last year, the group we had brought had a lot of energy. This year, I think we can go a couple of steps better,” he said.

“I’ve always been a part of Thunder and I thought why not extend. I just love playing cricket.”

The Sydney Thunder begin their Big Bash campaign against the Adelaide Strikers in Canberra on December 17.

Originally published as David Warner will play the full Big Bash with the Sydney Thunder for the next two seasons