Friday, July 15, 2011

Thunder sign Khawaja after Perth snub

Posted July 9, 2011 19:23:00

Sydney Thunder have confirmed the signing of Usman Khawaja, just a day after Big Bash League rivals Perth Scorchers claimed to have signed the promising Test batsman.

The Thunder announced on Saturday the 24-year-old would join the likes of David Warner and Chris Gayle in playing for the side in the upcoming revamped Twenty20 competition.

It completed a bizarre turn of events after officials from the Scorchers were forced to backflip on claiming they had signed the player on Friday.

The WACA believed it had reached an agreement with Khawaja's management on Wednesday that the 24-year-old left-hander would line up for the Scorchers in the revamped Twenty20 tournament.

However, his management communicated to the WACA that Khawaja was still considering his options and likely to join another BBL team closer to his Sydney home.

WACA cricket manager Andrew Scotford said there had been a "miscommunication" with Usman before his departure to Zimbabwe to join the Australia A tour.

But the Thunder, who will play at Sydney's Olympic stadium, wasted no time announcing they had sealed the deal on Saturday.

"I am honoured to have the chance to be playing for the Sydney Thunder this season," Khawaja said in a statement released by the club.

"I have been very impressed by the calibre of players already in the squad and we are looking forward to making our mark in the first season of the Big Bash League."

- AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, australia, nsw, sydney-2000, wa, perth-6000


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