‘I’m glad I don’t have to bowl to her’: Thunder recruit steals the show as green machine double last year’s win total

The Thunder is just two games into the new season but has already doubled its win total from last year thanks largely to an international star.

Nothing went right for the Sydney Thunder last season, with the club managing just one win in a horror campaign that culminated with the wooden spoon, but they’ve emerged as one of the most dominant teams this year and look set to contend for the WBBL title.

Injuries, poor form and batting collapses plagued their 2022 season, but some astute signings have turned things around quickly, with the Thunder’s international stars firing early to help them double their win total after just two games.

The Thunder had a rare win in the Sydney Smash to open their season and then backed it up with a crushing eight-wicket win over the Renegades in their first game at Cricket Central to give their fans hope of a third WBBL title.

The Thunder was too good for the Renegades, with young gun Phoebe Litchfield taking two catches and producing a direct hit in the field. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“It’s nice when everything goes to plan,” all-rounder Hannah Darlington said.

“Over the past two seasons – whether it’s been Rachael Haynes missing a season, injuries to internationals or key players within the squad – it’s sort of been up and down.

“We’re definitely enjoying the experience of being able to be a tight-knit group but also a full 15 to 16 players that are fit and able to be fighting for selection.

“We’ve had a couple of situations where it would have been easy to let it go, but we’ve found ways to win games and look good out there in more stages than the other side.

“It’s not necessarily (a sense of) relief, but it’s a nice feeling.”

Aussie star Phoebe Litchfield has had her moments with the bat and in the field in the first two games, but it’s been Sri Lankan opener Chamari Athapaththu who has taken the competition by storm with back-to-back half-centuries.

Chamari Athapaththu has started the season with back-to-back half-centuries. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“I don’t know if we’ve figured out the secret just yet,” said Darlington, who hasn’t had to produce the heroics every game like she has in the past.

“I think something we’re pretty proud of is that everyone has put performances on the board, it’s not just one star that is doing a good job.

“Chamari is probably the star who’s standing out, but everyone is doing their job really well.”

Athapaththu is no stranger to the WBBL having represented the Renegades in the past, and she’s burst out of the blocks as an early contender for player of the tournament with scores of 52 and 80 to go with four wickets.

“I’ve heard that she wanted to be in the green a few years ago, and she’s now finally got the nod to head to the lime green,” Darlington said.

“She seems stoked to be a part of the group. She’s absolutely loving it and she’s always got a big smile on her face, so it’s pretty awesome to then see that translate onto the field.

“I’m glad I don’t have to bowl to her anymore.”

Athapaththu has been named played of the match in both games despite not being picked in the original WBBL draft. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Incredibly, Athapaththu wasn’t chosen in the WBBL draft, with the T20 veteran one of four international players in the squad that will lead to selection headaches going forward.

WBBL squads can only have three international players on game day, with the Thunder likely to go with skipper Heather Knight and South African star Marizanne Kapp for most matches.

That leaves Lauren Bell and Athapaththu, who has been player of the match in both games, although she was keen to deflect the praise to her teammates.

“The whole team is important. This is a team game,” she said.

“All the girls are doing really well, especially the youngsters, the seniors and the captain. That’s what we want.

“We are not dependent on one person. I know I’ve performed well in the last two games, but the next day, I don’t know what will happen.”