Warner and Siddle extend BBL careers by inking 1-year extensions which means they will play well into their 40s.
After agreeing to a new one-year contract with Sydney Thunder, David Warner’s BBL career will continue for at least another season, and Peter Siddle will continue to play after turning 42 thanks to an extension with Melbourne Stars.
Warner scored 433 runs at 86.60 and a strike rate of 154.09, including two hundreds; his final four innings were 130 not out, 67 not out, 82, and 110 not out, but Thunder finished last for the second time in three editions after finishing second in the previous season.
Siddle, on the other hand, was a standout player for the Stars during the season, often pushing the speed gun past 140 kph and taking 16 wickets at an economy of 7.12.
Warner, the fourth-highest run scorer in T20 history, will continue to play in the BBL when he turns 40 thanks to the new contract. With 232 runs at 23.20, Matthew Gilkes was the Thunder’s second-highest scorer after Warner, and the only other batter to reach 200 was Sam Billings.
“It was certainly a challenging year for us, we are a much better team than what we put on the field this season and were unable to put a consistent game together,” Warner said. “But the support from our fans – turning up in numbers every game – it played a massive role in my decision to stay.
“I feel I’ve got plenty more to give to this team and to this game. I felt pretty comfortable with my performance and was proud to give the team a fighting chance. We’ve already begun reviewing the season and putting the right plans in place to ensure we deliver a much stronger campaign in BBL16.”
Trent Copeland, the Thunder general manager, said it was an easy decision to keep Warner on the list.
“We’re stoked that Davey is staying on for another season,” he said. “He’s had an incredible year, not only is he one of the greatest T20 players in the world over the last 15 years, but still very clearly one of the best batters in the BBL and his fitness levels are elite.
“His hunger and his drive as a leader to improve upon a disappointing season for the squad is as strong as ever.”