BBL14 final: How Jason Sangha has ridden the ‘highs and lows’ of the Sydney Thunder’s turnaround more than anyone

Jason Sangha was captain the night Sydney Thunder was skittled for 15. Then, he spent years out of the team. As LACHLAN MCKIRDY explains, it’s why he’s savouring every moment of his first BBL final.

Jason Sangha has almost experienced it all at the Sydney Thunder.

Having played his first match back in 2018, as he puts it, he has seen all the ups and downs.

He scored 445 runs in their impressive BBL11 season before the Thunder lost their first final.

He was also captain of the infamous side that was rolled for 15 runs by the Strikers, facing up to the media minutes later to try and explain the inexcusable.

Yet the one thing he hasn’t tasted is the ultimate glory.

And the 25-year-old batter has hardly wanted anything more in his career.

Sangha is back in the line-up and ready to help win the side a second BBL title. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“It’s been a long road,” Sangha said. “It’s definitely been some tough times.

“I heard (Chris) Greenie say in another interview, we’ve had the same core players for a long time now. We’ve had pieces come in, this is Bilbo’s second edition, and Dave’s been in and around it. But I feel like there hasn’t been a lot of change, we just always knew we could strive for something special.

“We just weren’t producing the results. I first came the year after we won the first BBL title, so I’ve definitely seen some ups and some downs. But it’s a testament to this group – we’ve stuck together.

“I wouldn’t say anyone’s ever written us off, but I guess the seasons we’ve had, we’ve always really struggled getting to a final. Now, we’ve done that.

“Hopefully, we can go down and win one more and finally bring some silverware back to western Sydney.”

The 25-year-old made an instant impact in his return, producing some strong shots early against the Sixers. Picture: Mark Kolbe Photography/Getty Images

The Thunder booked their place in the decider with a four-wicket win over the Sixers on Friday night. It was the first time in four years that the men in green had prevailed over their cross-town rivals, and Sangha was a big part of the reason why.

Playing in just his second match of the campaign after recovering from a bicep injury, Sangha opened the batting with David Warner and produced a blistering start. His 30 off 19 deliveries set the tone for their innings and ensured they would qualify for just their second decider.

“All the talent’s there, he’s a class act,” Sam Billings said of Sangha’s knock.

“A lot of the time it’s in the head, for all of us. Sometimes when you haven’t hit balls for a while, that’s when you probably play the best.”

Sangha admits he was always “touch and go” to return this season, but given the injury struggles the team have had this year, this final was one he was never going to miss.

The Thunder stalwart had only played one other game this season, against the Stars in Canberra. Picture: Mike Owen/Getty Images

“I did the exact same injury in a one-day game against New South Wales, so the reoccurrence of the same injury made the rehab a little bit longer,” Sangha said.

“It’s hard watching when you’re not playing and you want to be out there, but we were finding ways to win, which is good. There were guys playing really well and it bought me a bit of time.

“Obviously I wasn’t going to turn down the opportunity to play in a final, no way. I was making sure I was going to get ready for that.

“I was pretty gutted when I got out. I would have loved to have been there at the end and finished with a nice 70-80 not out, but more importantly, we’re into a final. That’s the main thing.”

It has already been a career-defining few months for Sangha. He made the difficult decision to leave NSW after a period of inconsistent form to play domestic cricket in South Australia this season.

While he had to earn his place in their XI, it paid off almost immediately with a superb 151 against Tasmania in his Sheffield Shield debut for his new state.

Sangha will be hoping to produce another important knock in Hobart after his century against the Tasmanians in December. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

With those memories in Hobart already in the back of his mind, Sangha is hoping he can help claim a Big Bash title in the city on Monday night, as his promising career continues to roar back to life.

“It’s with a different colour ball, hopefully, we’ll have the same success down there,” Sangha said.

“I feel like at the moment I’ve been playing some nice cricket and my batting is in a good place. Unfortunately, I’ve been finding ways to get injured, but hopefully this is the last one.

“The move to South Australia has been excellent. I don’t want to say you get away from the big smoke of Sydney, but you go down there and have a great time. Your cricket mates become your family.

“I’m still 25 and just felt like a change was needed. South Australia has been the best decision so far. I’ve been really enjoying my career down there.

“One more win down at Tassie, and it’ll be even better.”

Originally published as BBL14 final: How Jason Sangha has ridden the ‘highs and lows’ of the Sydney Thunder’s turnaround more than anyone