Sydney Thunder recruit Ben Cutting takes aim at former club ahead of BBL clash

Sydney Thunder recruit Ben Cutting has taken aim at his former BBL club’s management ahead of Monday evening’s blockbuster clash.

Ben Cutting of the Thunder.

Sydney Thunder recruit Ben Cutting has taken aim at his former BBL club’s management ahead of Monday evening’s blockbuster clash at Manuka Oval.

After a nine-year stint with the Brisbane Heat, Cutting remarkably left the franchise in September with one-year remaining on his contract.

The 33-year-old was one of six local players to depart the club this year, joining James Pattinson, Josh Lalor, Jack Prestwidge, Matt Renshaw and Cameron Gannon.

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Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the all-rounder conceded he was “hurt” by decision-making within the Heat’s management, prompting his sudden departure.

“I’m at peace with it now, but it certainly hurt at the time,” Cutting said.

“Walking into my meeting for this season and being told a few things I didn’t think were true, and it’s turned out that they haven’t been, it’s disappointing.

“There were plenty of other things, I don’t need to say too much … there was definitely something in the water.

“With COVID they have cut a lot of people out of management … but there is still a couple left in management who were making the decisions, and are probably the reason five or six of us did walk away.”

Ben Cutting of the Thunder.

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Cutting is the Heat’s highest wicket-taker (63 scalps) and second-highest run-scorer (1109 runs) in BBL history.

After the Thunder quickly secured his signature in the off-season, Cutting admitted he was eager to “stick it” to his former teammates.

“Most of those (current Heat players) are great mates of mine, and a lot of them are coming to my wedding,” Cutting said.

“But I still want to stick it into them on the cricket field.”

Cutting played 11 short-format matches for Australia between 2013 and 2017, before announcing his retirement from first-class cricket in 2018.

The Thunder will face the Heat at Canberra’s Manuka Oval on Monday evening, with the first ball scheduled for 7:15pm AEDT. Both sides are searching for their first win of the season.