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Thunder penalised for slow over rates

Sydney franchise would lose captain Watson for a match if they were to reoffend in BBL|07

Sydney Thunder are not far away from losing star allrounder Shane Watson for a match after the franchise was penalised for a slow over rate in their KFC Big Bash match against Hobart on Monday.

The Thunder were found to be six minutes behind the scheduled time to complete their 20 overs, after allowances, equating to one over short.

In accordance with the BBL Playing Conditions, each member of the playing XI was offered a $1,000 fine – which would be reduced to $500 per player if accepted without appeal – while Thunder captain Watson receives one strike.

Watson fires again with rapid 56

The Thunder accepted the sanction without appeal, and the fine was reduced to $500 per player.

A second strike for Watson for slow over rates would see him miss one match, which would be a major blow to a side desperate for points after two wins and three losses to start the tournament.

The one-time Test captain is BBL|07's leading run-scorer with 222, and has also picked up two handy wickets to remain a key cog in the Thunder set-up.

Powerful Watson lauded by Thunder teammates

"He looks in career-best form at the moment," said Ben Rohrer of his skipper last week. "The thing we've noticed around the group is he's so clear in what he wants to do.

"That's been a real focus for him – to have that clarity of mind when he's batting, just to see the ball and hit the ball. It's working very well.

"He's played so much cricket now, he knows what he's trying to do. You see with the ball – he came on and took a wicket with his first ball.

"He's been through every situation there is, and there's no way to teach that – it just comes with time." 

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