One of two players from the current Sydney Thunder squad to have featured in the inaugural Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) season back in 2015/16, Sammy-Jo Johnson has inked a deal to remain in lime green for the competition's milestone tenth edition.
SJ re-commits for milestone season
Johnson was Thunder’s second-highest wicket-taker last summer with 12 scalps in as many games. Along the way, she surpassed the 100-wicket mark, taking her tally to 106 from 115 WBBL appearances.
A title-winner with Brisbane Heat in WBBL|04, the 31-year-old Lismore native is determined to add another WBBL trophy to her name.
“I’m extremely excited to be back with the Thunder Nation and so excited to get back out for WBBL|10,” Johnson said.
“I want to be successful. I want to put my shirt on and do the ‘Thunder Nation’ proud and put wins on the board for the team.”
Tickets for Weber WBBL|10 and KFC BBL|14 are on sale NOW! Secure your seat HERE
When she's not with Thunder or the NSW state team, Johnson is dominating the Sydney grade cricket scene with Sydney Cricket Club, whose home ground, Drummoyne Oval, will also be Thunder's base this season.
“I absolutely love Drummoyne Oval. Obviously being my home ground for Sydney Cricket Club and to be playing games here for WBBL|10… I’m really excited.
“It’s got that real family vibe and once the hill is packed it feels like everyone is right on top of you, so hopefully we can get lots of Thunder fans out to watch those games .”
Sydney Thunder General Manager Trent Copeland described Johnson's re-signing as a crucial step towards building a team with the best chance for success this season.
“Re-signing Sammy-Jo was a no-brainer for us,” Copeland said.
“You can’t substitute experience, and it helps when that experience takes regular wickets and hits them hard and far.
“We expect to be challenging for a WBBL title this season and having Sammy-Jo amongst the group again will only strengthen our chances.”
Sydney Thunder WBBL|10 Squad: Georgia Adams (INT), Chamari Athapaththu (INT), Samantha Bates, Hannah Darlington, Sienna Eve, Saskia Horley, Shabnim Ismail (INT), Sammy-Jo Johnson, Heather Knight (INT), Anika Learoyd, Phoebe Litchfield, Claire Moore, Taneale Peschel, Georgia Voll, Tahlia Wilson
Sydney Thunder WBBL|10 Fixture
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Start time AEDT |
| Monday October 28 | Hobart Hurricanes | Blundstone Arena | 6.10pm |
| Thursday October 31 | Hobart Hurricanes | North Sydney Oval | 7.15pm |
| Friday November 1 | Adelaide Strikers | North Sydney Oval | 3.45pm |
| Thursday November 7 | Brisbane Heat* | WACA | 5.05pm |
| Sunday November 10 | Sydney Sixers* | SCG | 1.40pm |
| Tuesday November 12 | Perth Scorchers | Drummoyne Oval | 6.10pm |
| Friday November 15 | Perth Scorchers* | MCG | 3.45pm |
| Sunday November 17 | Sydney Sixers | Drummoyne Oval | 5.25pm |
| Wednesday November 20 | Melbourne Stars | Drummoyne Oval | 6.10pm |
| Saturday November 23 | Melbourne Renegades | Junction Oval | 10.00am |
*Matches are part of the WBBL Stadium Series