Dan Christian makes shocking return to BBL aged 41 as he is set to suit up for the Sydney Thunder as concussion replacement.
Dan Christian, the Australian T20 legend has come out of retirement and to the rescue of the BBL’s injury-hit Sydney Thunder.
The 41-year-old all-rounder has been an assistant coach at Thunder since his final professional game with the Sydney Sixers two summers ago.
Since the Sixers’ defeat against the Brisbane Heat in the BBL12 semi-final. Christian has not participated in a professional cricket match. Nevertheless, he has been staying in shape with UNSW in the NSW Premier Cricket tournament.
Along with Brad Hogg, Brad Hodge, Peter Siddle, Fawad Ahmed, and the late Shane Warne, he will become one of the few players in their 40s to participate in the BBL.
Christian is available for the rest of the competition. This edition has already seen significant progress from Thunder, the current wooden spooners.
Christian’s return comes after Cameron Bancroft and Daniel Sams were injured in a terrifying collision in the pitch during last week’s victory against the Perth Scorchers.
Sams (concussion) and Bancroft (concussion, broken nose, and fractured shoulderblade) added to the growing list of injuries. It has also kept Tanveer Sangha, Jason Sangha, and Nic Maddinson out.
“I made the decision during the off season. A return to the BBL or any other T20 leagues was never entirely off the table for me,” Christian said. “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.”
Thunder may also have to say goodbye to internationals Sherfane Rutherford and Lockie Ferguson as they prepare for the ILT20. They may lose Sam Konstas to Test commitments later in the competition.
Christian has played 409 games for 18 different teams in six different countries during his world-trotting career. His familiarity in the shortest format of the game makes him a T20 expert.
He has won three BBL titles. One each with the Brisbane Heat, Melbourne Renegades, and Sixers, and has played white-ball cricket for Australia forty-three times.