Sydney Thunder Players Shine At Cricket NSW Awards, Sammy-Jo Johnson Honored For Her Career
WBBL and BBL stars recognized at gala ceremony as legendary all-rounder bids farewell
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Several Sydney Thunder players have taken home prestigious Cricket NSW Awards, the club announced in a recent social media post. The celebration also included a special tribute to Sammy-Jo Johnson as the team bid farewell to the accomplished cricketer.
The Instagram post shared by Sydney Thunder (@thunderbbl) showed Thunder players at what appears to be the Cricket NSW Awards ceremony, featuring both men’s and women’s team members who were recognized for their outstanding performances during the season.
Farewell To A Thunder Legend
A particularly poignant moment of the celebration was dedicated to Sammy-Jo Johnson, with the team honoring her for what the post described as “an incredible career.” The tribute suggests Johnson may be retiring or moving on from Sydney Thunder after making significant contributions to the team.
Johnson is recognized as a talented all-rounder who has represented Sydney Thunder in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). Her farewell indicates the conclusion of an important chapter in her cricket journey with the Thunder.
Recent Thunder Achievements
The awards ceremony follows other recent highlights for the Thunder, including the announcement of Heather Knight as the Alex Blackwell Medallist for WBBL|10. Knight was recognized for her outstanding performance during the women’s Big Bash League season, as shared in one of the team’s earlier Instagram posts.
This continues a tradition of excellence for the women’s team, with the Alex Blackwell Medal representing the highest individual honor for a Sydney Thunder WBBL player. The award is named after Alex Blackwell, a pioneering figure in Australian women’s cricket and former Thunder captain.
Looking Ahead To The Next Season
Sydney Thunder is already preparing for the upcoming season, with the Big Bash Draft scheduled for June 19. The team has secured its draft positions and will have the opportunity to add three international players. They’ve announced that Sam Billings and Chamari Athapaththu will be allocated to one of their BBL|15 and WBBL|11 picks respectively.
The franchise has been actively engaging with fans, even asking for suggestions on potential draft picks through their social media channels. This interactive approach demonstrates their commitment to building a competitive squad with input from their supporter base.
About Sydney Thunder
Sydney Thunder is one of the eight founding teams of the Big Bash League, Australia’s professional Twenty20 cricket competition. Based in western Sydney, the team was established in 2011 and plays its home games at Sydney Showground Stadium.
The Thunder represents the western Sydney region and wears lime green as its primary color. The team has experienced both challenging periods and notable successes throughout its history, including winning the BBL Championship in the 2015-16 season.
The women’s team, which competes in the Women’s Big Bash League, has also established itself as a competitive force. The Thunder’s WBBL team won the championship in the inaugural 2015-16 season and again in 2020-21, demonstrating the strength of both the men’s and women’s programs within the franchise.
Beyond competitive cricket, the Thunder organization remains actively involved in community initiatives, including the recently announced Women’s Thunder Nation Cup, which focuses on growing the game and making cricket accessible to everyone.
As Sydney Thunder celebrates this year’s award winners and honors the career of Sammy-Jo Johnson, the team continues to build toward future success in both the men’s and women’s competitions, carrying forward their legacy in Australian cricket.
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