Thunder re-sign Watson, poach Sams

Shane Watson will feature in Australian cricket for at least another two seasons after signing a new deal with the Sydney Thunder.

Watson sent a timely reminder of his class last month, smashing a match-winning century for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.

The former Test allrounder, now a T20 freelancer, turned 37 earlier this month but is keen to play on and help nurture the Thunder's emerging talent with his two-year contract extension.

"It's exciting to be able to get a few more years with the Thunder," said Watson. "It was nice to be able to contribute last season as well as throughout the PSL (Pakistan Super League) and IPL.

"Part of Sydney Thunder is developing the next generation of Australian cricketers. We've got a lot of young talent, and the squad will be younger next season.

"The beauty of playing (NSW Premier Cricket) means I can continue to help out and get to know the guys before the week leading into the first game."

Watson showed no signs of slowing down in BBL|07, captaining the Thunder and topping their run-scoring charts with 331 at 37 with a strike-rate of 139.

The Thunder also announced Friday they'd poached Daniel Sams after the unheralded paceman impressed in his maiden KFC BBL campaign with crosstown rivals Sydney Sixers.

Sams has signed on with the western Sydney club having been in the Thunder's academy program before the Sixers snapped up the left-armer as a replacement player last summer.

He went on the play six games and take seven wickets, including a four-wicket haul on debut against the Thunder.

"The Thunder Academy was really enjoyable and I took a few new things away from it. It was really valuable for me," said Sams.

"I've gained a lot of confidence.

"I'm looking forward to getting back out there and being successful, hopefully getting Thunder to the finals and winning a trophy."

Sams' unusual route to a BBL berth was also aided by Ben Stokes in an intriguing twist of fate, after the England allrounder took Sams' spot in Canterbury's T20 squad for New Zealand's domestic T20 competition last season.

Stokes was only there because of a police investigation into his alleged involvement in a Bristol altercation, which saw him miss the Ashes.

"He's a great signing," former Kiwi quick and new Thunder coach Shane Bond said of Sams.

"I first saw him when he came out and played for Canterbury. They spoke really highly of him there, not just with the ball but with the bat after he scored a lot of runs. 

"He's a good all-round talent and that is a real bonus for us."

Thunder squad: Fawad Ahmed, Pat Cummins, Callum Ferguson, Ryan Gibson, Chris Green, Usman Khawaja, Kurtis Patterson, Daniel Sams, Shane Watson

In: Daniel Sams (Sixers).

Out: Aiden Blizzard (retired).

Roster spots to fill: 9

Internationals signed: zero