BBL: Warner Responds to Henriques’ Banter Ahead of Sydney Derby
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New Delhi, Dec 20 (NationPress) David Warner, the captain of the Sydney Thunder, has hit back at a cheeky remark made by Sydney Sixers skipper Moises Henriques ahead of their highly anticipated clash on Saturday. The all-Sydney Big Bash League (BBL) derby at Sydney Showground is expected to be a fiery contest, fueled by the competitive spirit between the two teams following Henriques’ playful pre-match comments.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Henriques, who has been at the helm of the Sixers for a long time, added fuel to the fire when asked about facing the Thunder. "That's just an easy two points for us normally, so I haven't paid that one too much attention," Henriques joked, before further stating:
"We'll see how we go, but it means a lot for us and a lot of our guys obviously train together for the majority of the year.
"It gives us a whole heap of bragging rights every single time we get a win. I do think they are a good squad and I expect them to challenge the finals.
"Being good in those games is going to be a huge part of whether we have success."
Henriques’ confident remarks highlight the Sixers’ historical superiority in the Sydney derby, having claimed three BBL titles compared to the Thunder’s single championship from the 2015-16 season.
Warner, known for his competitive spirit, did not take the comments lightly. The former Test opener, who has taken on the Thunder’s leadership role after his ban was lifted, responded with equal vigor.
"Oh, they've already got two points? If that's the way they want to play," Warner replied. "If they want to bring cockiness to it, they’ve got to back it up.
"It's a great opportunity for us and our fans to come out and see a great game. It's always a good contest and we know they've had the upper edge a lot of the time.
"They are a well-balanced team; they have managed to keep all their players. On their home turf, they are always a challenge… it's upon us to do that here."
The Thunder’s lineup may undergo some adjustments, as young talent Sam Konstas has been called up to the Test squad for the upcoming Boxing Day Test. Konstas, who batted alongside Warner in their inaugural match, is likely to be succeeded by Cameron Bancroft.
Jason Sangha, another promising player, is also expected to return to enhance the Thunder’s batting order. Despite Henriques’ bold statements, the Thunder are determined to make a statement in front of their home audience.
