Tillakaratne Dilshan likely to open for Sydney Thunder in Big Bash League

Monday, 30 December 2013 00:19 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The riddle of Sydney Thunder’s opening batting combination could be solved by the arrival of a Sri Lankan dasher and return of an in-form ex-New South Welshman as early as their next match, the New Year’s Day clash with Melbourne Stars at ANZ Stadium. In their round-one loss to the Sydney Sixers, the Thunder’s strongest suit was their first-wicket 116-run stand between David Warner and Usman Khawaja. However, Warner’s Test duty and Khawaja’s hamstring injury left the door open for young NSW pair Daniel Hughes and Ryan Carters to open against Adelaide Strikers on Friday night.

However, that experiment failed when the Thunder crashed to 3-20 after the openers were removed and pinch-hitter Carl Sandri fell, leaving it to Mike Hussey and Eoin Morgan to try to mow down the Strikers’ 6-153. Hussey made 85 in a 109-run stand with Morgan, but the Thunder fell six runs short, condemning them to a 15th straight loss. Hussey said Khawaja was a possibility of returning for Wednesday’s match, which is also likely to be Tillakaratne Dilshan’s debut appearance after he finished up with Sri Lanka’s one-day series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates. Hussey indicated Dilshan would open, coming into the side for Englishman Chris Woakes. “We’ll speak to Dilshan but he’s been very explosive at the top, particularly in Twenty20,” he said. “It would be rude not to chuck him in there and say ‘go for your life.’ “I’m not sure if Usman will be back. I asked him this morning how long and he just said as soon as he possibly can. If not the next one, hopefully the one after in Perth.” (Source: www.smh.com.au)