David Warner’s Big Bash return falls flat as Aussie opener is dismissed for 19 and Thunder lose

David Warner’s eagerly-awaited Big Bash return fell flat with the Australian opener out for 19 as the Sydney Thunder lost by nine wickets against the Perth Scorchers at the Sydney Showground.

Playing in his first BBL match in nine years, the 36-year-old steadied the ship alongside young gun Ollie Davies after Perth had reduced the Thunder to 2-3.

Scorchers debutant David Payne removed Thunder wicketkeeper Matthew Gilkes for a second-ball duck, before Sam Whiteman was caught at deep third man for 2 off the bowling of Lance Morris in the second over.

David Warner’s return to the Big Bash got off to a disappointing start on Friday evening

Warner and Davies compiled a 67-run partnership that ended when Matthew Kelly had the veteran opener caught behind by Josh Inglis in the 10th over. 

His dismissal sparked a collapse, with the Thunder losing the next seven wickets for just 41 runs as they collapsed to 111 all out.

Cameron Bancroft hit an unbeaten 55 and Stephen Eskinazi smashed 40 off 26 balls as the Scorchers chased down the total with ease within 13 overs, consolidating their place at the top of the table with their eighth win in 10 games.

Warner’s form in the shortest format of the game has been largely indifferent this season, with the Sydneysider scoring just 44 runs from his combined four innings at the T20 World Cup late last year. 

Warner made 19 off 20 balls as the Sydney Thunder lost by nine wickets to the Perth Scorchers

Warner signed a two-year deal with the Thunder to return to the BBL after a nine-year hiatus

The Aussie opener signed a two-year deal with the Thunder in November last year to return to Australia’s premier domestic T20 competition for the first time since 2013.

The Thunder are currently fourth in the BBL and Warner told reporters on Thursday he hoped to make a difference.

‘We’re fourth at the moment, so the guys have been playing well,’ he said.  

‘We’ve had some injuries and if I can contribute in any way, it’d be awesome. 

Cameron Bancroft hit an unbeaten 55 as the Scorchers chased down 111 within 13 overs

Warner is reportedly being paid at least $70,000 per match but will not captain the side, after the Thunder controversially overlooked him for the role last month.

In December, the team announced Jason Sangha will be the team’s skipper to replace Chris Green.

According to News Corp, the team informed Green of the decision, but did not communicate it to Warner.

Green has had to step back into the role after Sangha was ruled out for the remainder of the competition last month after suffering a broken collarbone.

Perth have now won eight of their 10 games this season and top the BBL table 

Cricket New South Wales and the Thunder both came out in support of Warner’s bid to have the leadership ban imposed on him in the wake of the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal overturned.

Over the summer, however, Warner withdrew his appeal and seems intent to mend his relationship with Cricket Australia.

‘We’ve moved on from that,’ Warner said. ‘You can see where my head is at the moment. I scored a nice double century  at the MCG after a bit of an up and down few months there. 

‘I wiped that straight away and let that go as soon as we made that decision. It’s my time to contribute and give back.’