'The toughest call I've made': Khawaja leaves the Thunder

Sydney Thunder foundation player Usman Khawaja has opted out of the final year of his deal and will leave the club for family reasons.

Labelling it "the toughest call I've made as a cricketer", Khawaja said the impending arrival of his second child with wife Rachel meant he wanted to stay close to his hometown of Brisbane.

The Brisbane Heat declined to comment on whether they'd spoken to Khawaja about signing him for BBL|12.

Big Bash clubs are currently restricted under the competition's embargo period, which prevents new deals from being signed.

The 35-year-old has been at the Thunder since the BBL's inception in 2011 and has scored a club-high 1818 runs in 59 games.

"I hate talking about the decision I've made … it's the toughest call I've made as a cricketer because Sydney Thunder, the players, the coaching and support staff, and the club's supporters mean so much to me," Khawaja, who has always labelled himself 'a proud westie', said in a statement.

"However, it is for family reasons, and while I'm leaving, people who know me realise a big part of my heart will always remain with Thunder.

"I don't want people to think I've cut my ties with Sydney Thunder because I'll always care about the club, the players, the entire organisation.

"A part of that is because I believe I helped shape Thunder from the start. In many ways Sydney Thunder is, to me, like a baby I've watched grow and develop."

The Thunder had tabled a multi-year deal to Khawaja but Michael Klinger, Cricket NSW's Head of Male Cricket, said he understood the left-hander's decision.

"It's disappointing because Usman is such a well-respected member of Thunder," said Klinger.

"Sydney Thunder and CNSW definitely wanted him to stay, and we offered a highly competitive contract.

"However, we appreciate Usman's decision has been made for his family, and we respect and support that.

"Usman leaves Sydney Thunder with our best wishes for the future. He's a foundation player who leaves a legacy as a great competitor and player, a strong leader, and someone who actively helped Thunder become the club he always believed it could be."

The Thunder finished last in the first three seasons of the BBL and then seventh in BBL|04 before surging to a maiden title the following summer.

Despite playing just four games in that 2015-16 season, Khawaja played a pivotal role in guiding the Thunder to the title, posting scores of 109no, 62, 104no in the semi-final and 70 in the final at the MCG.

"We were a shambles in those early days," he said. "We played horribly and after winning the first two games we played we didn't win another one for something like two years.

"But I believed in Thunder, and I loved that it represented the city's western suburbs – I'm a proud 'westie',  always will be  -  and that's why winning the title in BBL|05 was massive.

"And Thunder has built on that. It's a strong organisation with great people, sponsors who are engaged in the club's activities, the best supporters a team could ever hope for, and an exciting player base.

"It makes me proud to know Thunder has developed into a club that is respected; and a club that people want to play for and be a part of.

"It's quite special to be at that stage because – as much as it sucks that I'm leaving – it's not as though Thunder is in a position where the club is really struggling.

"I think Sydney Thunder are capable of having long, sustained success with the players they have. Thunder's biggest moments are still to come."