Western Sydney product Stephen O’Keefe was tempted by a cross-city switch to the Thunder for the upcoming Big Bash League season, but says loyalty kept him at defending premiers the Sixers.
After missing most of the last season through injury, O’Keefe said he owed something to the Sixers and couldn’t leave the strong culture they built under coach Trevor Bayliss.
But it was a tough decision.
O’Keefe went to school at Richmond High and admits he flirted with the idea of defecting to the Thunder so he could go back to his roots and represent the western suburbs out of ANZ Stadium.
“Growing up out west and seeing the team they’ve got that they can build on with some good young NSW cricketers, it would have been good to get out there and potentially play with them,” O’Keefe told AAP.
“But ultimately, I owe the Sixers a lot. They looked after me last year when I was injured and missed half the season, so I would like to think I’ve been loyal in that respect.
“Hopefully we can produce the same goods as we did last year.”
The NSW captain was one of six signings announced by the Sixers on Wednesday – with grand final hero Moises Henriques, Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin and rookie fast bowler Josh Hazlewood also putting pen to paper for another campaign.
Youngsters Kurtis Patterson and Josh Lalor have also agreed to join the men in pink, as the franchise continues to chase signatures, including that of veteran paceman Brett Lee.
Despite losing superstar quick Patrick Cummins to the Perth Scorchers, O’Keefe said the balance and team culture at the Sixers left them in good stead to go back-to-back.
“One of the determining parts is how well a side can play together because in Twenty20 cricket there’s a lot of 50/50 battles,” he said.
“But the side that knows their mates well and knows their game well … will be the team that goes on to be successful.
“(Cummins) … is a one in a generation sort of bowler … it’s a shame we couldn’t keep him.
In other BBL signing news on Wednesday, the Thunder announced they’d nabbed Dirk Nannes who played with the Melbourne Renegades last year, as well as young fast bowler Chris Tremain.
The Hobart Hurricanes re-signed former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, and the 37-year-old is hopeful of more BBL appearances in 2012-13.
“I really enjoyed my short time with the Hurricanes last season and being part of the team’s first ever win (over Perth Scorchers) was something I’ll never forget,” Ponting said.