Thunder could lose Brathwaite for finals

Sydney Thunder’s hopes of defending their KFC Big Bash League title could take a hit after import Carlos Brathwaite revealed he may fly home after the side's final home-and-away match on Wednesday.

Brathwaite said he would return to the Caribbean following the Thunder’s match against the Adelaide Strikers on Wednesday, according to a News Limited report.

But the Thunder have confirmed that if they can secure a semi-final berth, the club will attempt to persuade the powerful allrounder to stay on in their bid for BBL glory.

After losing their first four matches of BBL|06, the Thunder now sit in fifth position on the ladder after winning their last three games.

They need to defeat the bottom-of-the-table Strikers at Spotless Stadium to have a chance of finishing in the top-four.

Brathwaite, who shot to prominence in April after belting four consecutive sixes to seal the West Indies’ World T20 final win, had planned to leave to play for Barbados in their domestic 50-over campaign. Their first match is on January 24.

Brathwaite was called into the Thunder squad earlier this month after fellow West Indian allrounder Andre Russell injured his hamstring and was ruled out for the tournament.

Their other overseas player, top-order batsman James Vince, will remain with the Thunder should they make the semi-finals.

But the Thunder won’t be able to replace Brathwaite with a new overseas player, as BBL rules dictate internationals need to have played at least one regular season match to be eligible for the finals.

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They would however be able to replace him in their squad with a local player. 

Brathwaite arrived in Australia without any of his cricket gear for his first match, having been on holiday in Europre.

He was forced to borrow bowling spikes from teammate Pat Cummins and a couple of bats from fellow Bajan and Hobart Hurricanes WBBL player Hayley Matthews for his first match with the Thunder.

But with five wickets in two games, each of which have prompted a now-trademark ‘dab’ celebration, Brathwaite has quickly become a fan favourite.

"I was a bit nervous to be honest," Brathwaite told bigbash.com.au after his first game against the Hurricanes.

"I hadn't put any gym work in or any practice in the lead-up. I only bowled off five steps in the two practice days we had before.

"But it was probably for the better, I didn't have any demons in my mind. It was just a matter of getting out there and trusting my instincts.