“If they want to bring cockiness to it, they’ve got to back it up” - David Warner hits back at rival captain before BBL 2024 Sydney derby
Sydney Thunder skipper David Warner has hit back at Sixers captain Moises Henriques after his statement ahead of the Sydney Derby in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2024-25 edition. The left-handed batter warned that the three-time champions must back their words up with performances.
Having both won their opening games of the season, the Sixers and Thunder will lock horns on Saturday, December 21, at the Sydney Showground Stadium. The two sides have squared off in 25 matches since 2012, with the Sixers winning 16 of them and one each culminating in a tie and no result. The Thunder last beat the Sixers in the 2021 edition.
Henriques had earlier claimed that an easy win is on the cards against the Thunder. Warner admitted that while the Sixers have had the upper hand over his side in the past, he sees it as a great opportunity to topple their rivals. As quoted by nine.com.au, he said:
"Oh, they've already got two points? If that's the way they want to play. If they want to bring cockiness to it, they've got to back it up. It's a great opportunity for us and our fans to come out and see a great game. It's always a good contest and we know they've had the upper edge a lot of the time. They are a well-balanced team, they have managed to keep all their players. On their home turf they are always a challenge… it's upon us to do that here."
The Thunder defeated the Adelaide Strikers to begin their season, while the Sixers beat the Melbourne Renegades.
David Warner was out cheaply in the Thunders' opening match of BBL 2024
Warner will be looking for a big score against the Sixers after managing only seven runs against the Strikers. However, the veteran's opening partner Sam Konstas exploded to spearhead the chase of 183 with a 27-ball 56.
The defining moment of the contest came when Daniel Sams plundered Lloyd Pope for 31 runs in an over when the Thunder required 34 off 12 balls.