BBL: Thunder prodigy Ollie Davies thrilled to again play against Shaun Marsh

Ollie Davies has another to shine in front of idol Shaun Marsh when the Thunder meet the Renegades.

Ollie Davies (right) is happy to again play against Shaun Marsh. Picture: Mike Owen/Getty Images

Sydney Thunder revelation Ollie Davies still finds it hard to believe he’s playing against his idol, Melbourne Renegades veteran Shaun Marsh.

Davies, 20, destroyed the struggling Renegades last Saturday at Manuka Oval, smashing five successive sixes in his innings 48 from 23 balls as the Thunder won 129 runs.

The teams meet again on Friday night at Metricon Stadium, where Davies will have another match-defining innings in his sights.

And as much as Marsh won’t want Davies to again cut loose, Davies would love to impress his hero with another powerful display.

“The first Test I ever watched was the one when he scored 141 on debut against Sri Lanka,” Davies said.

“I remember thinking he was a freak and he became my hero.”

The pair met eight years ago at Drummoyne Oval.

“I was too nervous to go up to Shaun and ask for his autograph, so Mum went up and spoke to (then Western Australia coach) Justin Langer and asked if it was possible for Shaun to come and sign my hat.,” Davies recalled.

“He came over and signed my hat, took a photo and had a chat. He was an absolute legend, and I was in awe of him … I had been for a little while.

“I posted the photo on Instagram and he commented on it saying, ‘great photo, mate’, and then he gave me a follow on Instagram.

“I was over the moon. I posted another photo and he asked how was everything, and we stayed in contact.

“I asked if I could buy one of his bats from him and he said that wasn’t necessary, he was happy to give me one.

“He gave me a bat, and over the years we stayed in touch, and next thing you know I played against him in the Big Bash.

“It’s pretty cool. I was a 12-year-old kid who loved a cricketer and he was amazing. My favourite cricketer commenting on my photos was incredible.”

Ollie Davies and his hero Shaun Marsh eight years on 🥰

📸 IG // olliedavies14 #ThunderNation #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/jwhiY4QsUO

— Sydney Thunder (@ThunderBBL) December 27, 2020

Marsh, 37, was thrilled with the progress of Davies.

“I remember meeting Ollie that day with his family at Drummoyne Oval and we’ve kept in touch ever since.,” Marsh said.

“I’ve followed his career closely and it’s great to see how far he’s come.

“To be able to play against him the other night was a special moment for us both. He’s such an exciting young talent and I’m looking forward to watching his career unfold.”

Marsh said it was an important step for the BBL that the competition now involved the “first wave of kids” who once watched the Twenty20 tournament from the stands.

Meanwhile, Melbourne Stars spinner Adam Zampa has been banned for one BBL match for an “audible obscenity”.

The 28-year-old Australian representative was found guilty of a Level 1 offence in his side’s 75-run loss to the Sydney Thunder at Manuka Oval on Tuesday night.

Zampa, who was also fined $2500, will miss the Stars’ clash against the Hobart Hurricanes at Blundstone Arena on Saturday.