Heather Knight to lead Sydney Thunder in WBBL 2023-24

England Women’s dynamic captain, Heather Knight, is set to lead the Sydney Thunder in the upcoming Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) season. Knight steps into this leadership role following the retirement of the esteemed Rachael Haynes, aiming to steer the Thunder to greater heights after their challenging campaign last year.

The Thunder, who finished at the bottom of the ladder in the previous season, have undertaken a remarkable transformation in their squad, securing the formidable talents of South Africa's all-rounder Marizanne Kapp and England's pace sensation, Lauren Bell, alongside the indomitable Knight.

This injection of talent is sure to reinvigorate the Thunder's fortunes and set them on a path to success. Former England coach Lisa Keightley, now at the helm of the Thunder, expressed her enthusiasm for the right handed batter's ascension to the leadership role, stating, 

"We're thrilled to have Heather captain Thunder this summer. She's an incredibly experienced leader and the perfect fit to take us into this new era at the club. She's one of the most gutsy and determined individuals I've worked with and I'm excited to see the effect she'll have on the group. Her positive energy will be a great asset to an already strong side with the other international signings and domestic players we have lined up," she was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

The magic of the duo called Heather Knight and Lisa Keightley

Knight, renowned for her unwavering determination, has had a busy winter, leading the England Women's team through a gripping Ashes series and subsequently taking charge of London Spirit in The Hundred. Notably, she has a rich history with the Thunder in WBBL, having been a pivotal part of their championship-winning squad in the 2020-21 season, where she emerged as the leading run-scorer with an impressive tally of 446 runs at an average of 40.54 and a striking strike-rate of 124.92.

The 32-year-old's versatility extends to her bowling skills, as she demonstrated her prowess by delivering her career-best figures for the Thunder against the Brisbane Heat, claiming three wickets in a single over while conceding a mere four runs. Her partnership with Lisa Keightley in guiding the England Women's side from 2019 to 2022 yielded impressive results, including a memorable run to the 2022 ODI World Cup Final and reaching the semi-finals in both the 2020 T20 World Cup and the Commonwealth Games.