Hussey returns to lead Thunder at new home

Australian cricket great Mike Hussey has confirmed he will lead the Sydney Thunder in the KFC Big Bash League for one final season.

Today’s announcement coincided with confirmation that Spotless Stadium will be the new permanent home ground of the Thunder for the next 10 years.

Hussey joined the Sydney side ahead of BBL|03 and has helped shape the former cellar-dwellars into a competitive outfit.  The 40-year-old has scored 435 at a strike rate of 135.51 in his 14 matches in green, including a superb 96 in his team’s opening clash last season.

Video: Mr. Cricket blasts 96 for Thunder

The Thunder confirmed it would be the final season in an illustrious career for Hussey, with a hunger for success the key reason behind his re-signing.

“For me, the job’s definitely not done at the Thunder,” said Hussey.

“We showed a lot of improvement during BBL|04, and I’ve definitely still got that hunger to win which is the main reason to go around one more time.

“Nick (Cummins) and Paddy (Upton) have been working to put together a really strong squad for BBL05, and I think the Thunder will push for finals this season - that’s something I definitely want to be a part of.”

While this summer will be the last opportunity for fans in Australia to see 'Mr.Cricket' in action, the left-hander admitted he could be headed to India again at the conclusion of the BBL.

"I'm not 100 per cent sure (retirement). There might be another opportunity to play in the IPL again, but I'm still weighing that up," Hussey told AAP.

Hussey played an important role for the Chennai Super Kings in the last installment of the IPL, steering them to the final which they lost to the Ricky Ponting-coached Mumbai Indians.

"Part of my decision will be family based, but it's more about the amount of work you need to do just to get yourself ready to play in the tournament. It gets harder and harder.

"I'll see how I pull up from the IPL and make a decision from there, but it's certainly my last BBL.

"I got through the IPL pretty well, I didn't play a lot of games over there, but I was certainly doing all the training and felt good and enjoying the challenge and the contest over there."

The Thunder, yet to make a Big Bash League finals appearance, will launch their title bid at their new permanent home in Sydney’s west.

The agreement will see the Thunder based at Spotless until the 2024-25 summer.

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Spotless Stadium during a BBL match last season // Sydney Thunder

The team in green hosted two games at Spotless Stadium in BBL|04, losing both, but will now look to establish the 22,000-seat ground as a fortress for the growing Thunder Nation.

“We believe that we have the best stadium in Australia to watch BBL cricket, and I can’t wait to see Mike and the rest of the team take the field in front of a packed house,” said Thunder General Manager Nick Cummins.

Hussey’s return further bolsters the Thunder squad for the coming season after adding Fawad Ahmed, Ben Rohrer and Shane Watson to their list.

Thunder BBL|05 contracted players: Fawad Ahmed, Aiden Blizzard, Pat Cummins, Jake Doran, Chris Hartley, Mike Hussey (c), Jacques Kallis, Ben Rohrer, Shane Watson.