Overview:
Ashwin, who took 765 wickets in international cricket, has joined Thunder for the upcoming season of the BBL.
Former Australia fast bowler Trent Copeland, who is currently working as Sydney Thunder general manager, is happy with the arrival of Ravichandran Ashwin in the Big Bash League, calling him the biggest signing in the history of the tournament. Ashwin, who took 765 wickets in international cricket, has joined Thunder for the upcoming season of the BBL.
“It is the biggest signing in the history of the BBL. It is a clear message to everyone associated with the BBL that we are winning these moments. All eight franchises wanted Ashwin, but he has chosen us,” Copeland told reporters.
Ashwin is the first capped Indian player to become a part of the T20 league in Australia. “We will have to increase the security. Babar Azam is going to be here at the same time, which is good for the tournament. Ashwin’s arrival shows how great our tournament is,” he added.
When asked if Ashwin would get special treatment by the franchise, Copeland said, “When Chris Gayle was with the Thunder, he was living in a lofty penthouse. I was playing at that time, but I am the General Manager now, and the budget is my responsibility. I will make sure that Ashwin and other overseas players have a hell of a time over here.”
He opined on the growing demands to privatize the BBL. “We are not a broken product, regardless of Ashwin or anyone else. The public is now seeing big players in the BBL like Babar and Ashwin,” he concluded.