Originally joining the squad last season as an injury replacement player for Nic Maddinson, Blake Nikitaras has now earned a full contract off the back of standout performances in the Melbourne T10 Invitational and NSW Premier Cricket’s Kingsgrove Sports T20 Cup.
In-form Nikitaras locked in for BBL|15
The left-handed opener impressed in April’s Melbourne T10 Invitational, dominating Big Bash League Academy attacks with 302 runs from eight innings at an average of 43.14. His standout knocks included 71 (30) against the Sixers, 65 (35) against the Renegades, and 63 (28) against the Stars.
Just two months earlier, Nikitaras lit up NSW Premier Cricket’s Kingsgrove Sports T20 Cup, claiming Player of the Competition honours. He amassed 382 runs from eight innings at an incredible average of 95.50, including a match-winning 107* off just 59 balls in the final to guide his St George DCC side to the title.
Thunder General Manager Trent Copeland said Nikitaras brings genuine firepower to the squad’s batting lineup.
“I played a lot of cricket with Blake, and he has shown he’s more than capable of taking down high-quality bowling attacks and dominating games on his terms,” Copeland said.
“He has the ability to produce fireworks from the get-go; here is your forewarning that B. Nikitaras will light up BBL|15.
“His performance at elite level in recent months for NSW and Thunder at Melbourne T10 proves his readiness to make an impact at BBL level.”
Nikitaras was grateful to be rewarded for his efforts and is determined to repay the faith with a strong BBL|15 campaign.
“It feels good. It's a little bit different [this time]. I had to score a lot of runs to get this one [contract], so it does mean a lot," Nikitaras said.
“I’m 25 [years old] now and feel like I know my game a lot better. I’ve got a pretty good understanding of how I want to go about things.
“I’m looking forward to getting back with the group... especially catching up with Macca [Nathan McAndrew], he’s from Oak Flats like me. I learn heaps just by watching the way [David] Warner and [Sam] Billings go about things, and I always enjoy seeing Sammy [Konstas] do his thing.”
When asked why fans should come out and support Thunder this summer, Nikitaras had a simple message:
“We’ve got some of the best players in the competition and we made the final last season.. this season will be great.”
A product of the Illawarra Zone junior representative pathway, Nikitaras will return to his home region on August 6 and 7 as part of the Cricket NSW Country Blitz, visiting local schools and inspiring the next generation to play and love cricket.
Sydney Thunder KFC BBL|15 squad to date:
Wes Agar, Tom Andrews, Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings (INT) Ollie Davies, Lockie Ferguson (INT), Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Ryan Hadley, Shadab Khan (INT), Sam Konstas, Nathan McAndrew, Blake Nikitaras, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, David Warner.
KFC BBL|15 tickets go on sale on August 19! Can't wait? Lock in your seat now with a Sydney Thunder membership!