BBL: Sydney Thunder assistant coach Dan Christian plays brisk cameo, picks wicket as replacement player

BBL: Sydney Thunder assistant coach Dan Christian plays brisk cameo, picks wicket as replacement player

Sydney Thunder’s 41-year-old assistant coach Dan Christian smashed an unbeaten 15-ball 23 and also picked a wicket during a Big Bash League (BBL) match against Brisbane Heat on Monday.

Christian was added to the squad on Sunday as a replacement player amid an ever-increasing list of injuries.

With Tanveer Sangha (side strain), Jason Sangha (bicep), Daniel Sams (concussion), Cameron Bancroft (broken nose and fractured shoulder), and Sam Konstas (Australian Test duties) unavailable, the side was forced to make changes to its roster.

Playing his first BBL match since the 2022-23 semifinal at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Christian came to bat at No. 8 and helped his team reach 173 for eight in 20 overs. He then picked the wicket of Nathan McSweeney, who made his Test debut in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

“I’m fully committed to my coaching role with the team and have really enjoyed working with the squad we have here at Sydney Thunder for BBL 14. I made the decision during the off-season that a return to the BBL or any other T20 league was never entirely off the table for me. I’ve been playing NSW Premier Cricket with UNSW Cricket Club, and training hard. The body feels great, and I wanted to ensure I was prepared if an opportunity arose. The incident with Cam Bancroft and Dan Sams was extremely unfortunate, but I’m really grateful for the opportunity it’s presented. I wish them all the best with their recoveries and hope they’ll be back on the park soon,” Christian had said after being added to the squad.