Image Credit- Getty
Now, on Friday, when David Warner travels by
helicopter from his brother’s wedding to play for Sydney Thunder versus Sydney
Sixers, he will land at the SCG.
Originally, Allianz Stadium, which is adjacent to the
cricket venue, was to be used, but that option was rejected. He is now
anticipated to land on the outfield, close to where the farewell Test
“Thanks Dave” logo was painted.
Weather permitting, he is due to arrive around 5pm,
for what could be a sellout fixture, after attending the wedding in the Hunter
Valley then making a swift exit to reach Cessnock airport.
“He’s going to a lot of effort to come and play
for us,” Thunder quick Gurinder Sandhu said. “We love having him
here. Last year he was awesome for us, maybe didn’t score as many runs as he
would have liked but around the group and passing on knowledge was awesome to
have him around. He’s one of the better team men. All the fans get to enjoy him
playing cricket.”
“He is a bit Hollywood, isn’t he, that’s very
Davey,” Sean Abbott of Sydney Sixers joked. “I got the Lime bike in
today and I’ll be doing the same tomorrow night and riding out the gate as
Davey lands.
“I’m glad they are making it happen because think
everyone in the country who is a fan of cricket wants to see David Warner in
the BBL and I’m really looking forward to coming up against him. One of the
best players in the world and has been for a long time.”
In a major effort by Cricket Australia to entice
international players back to the competition, Warner inked a lucrative
two-year contract with Thunder prior to the previous season. Though he will
schedule appearances around his responsibilities as a commentator on the India
Test series, he has expressed his wish to return the next season.
Steven Smith will be available for the Sixers match as
they attempt to secure a berth in the finals. Several Australian Test players
are making BBL appearances between the Pakistan and West Indies series.