Beaumont to reunite with Haynes at Thunder

English veteran Tammy Beaumont will have the opportunity to again prove her 20-over credentials ahead of the T20 World Cup in February after signing on with the Sydney Thunder for Weber WBBL|08.

Beaumont has played 99 T20Is for England, but was surprisingly dropped from their T20I squad ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

The diminutive top-order batter will be in familiar surrounds as she looks to press her case for national selection, having been a part of the Sydney Thunder’s successful WBBL|06 campaign in 2020.

Beaumont joins compatriots Danni Wyatt, Sophie Ecclestone and Alice Capsey as the English players to have been announced as travelling to Australia for the tournament so far.

The 31-year-old is the first overseas player the Thunder have announced and is likely to team up with captain Rachael Haynes at the top of the order. 

The return of Beaumont, not to mention Haynes – who didn’t play last year due to the birth of her son Hugo – is a huge boost for the Thunder in their bid to improve upon last season’s seventh place finish.

With 203 England caps, Beaumont will also add invaluable leadership and experience to the youthful squad.

"Tammy was part of our 2020 winning team," coach Trevor Griffin said.

"She has a wealth of international experience, and her vast bank of knowledge allows her to provide Rachael Haynes with some support out on the park.

"She's tremendous around the group, and I appreciate that Tammy is happy to share her knowledge with the players."

Beaumont has considerable experience in the Big Bash, having also represented the Adelaide Strikers and the Melbourne Renegades in addition to the Thunder across 56 matches, with 1,063 runs to her name.

The gun fielder said she is looking forward to the opportunity to return to Sydney, although in vastly different circumstances to 2020 when the entire tournament was played in a ‘Village’ in Sydney due to the pandemic.

"I had the best six weeks, even though it was a COVID bubble in the Sydney hub," Beaumont said.

“I thought it was a great team to be a part of – a really good set up – and it’s an exciting opportunity for me to come back and play for the Thunder again.

"I’ve obviously got brilliant memories of 2020. Not only did we win the competition, but the group of girls I got to spend day-in, day-out with … the camaraderie and team spirit was excellent."

The Thunder still have two overseas player yet to confirm, and seven spots in total.

Sydney Thunder WBBL|08 squad so far: Rachael Haynes (CA), Tammy Beaumont (Eng), Sam Bates, Hannah Darlington, Jessica Davidson, Phoebe Litchfield, Olivia Porter, Lauren Smith, Tahlia Wilson

Tickets for Weber WBBL and KFC BBL games are on sale now. Get yours at cricket.com.au/big-bash