Holiday brings change in Thunder fortunes

Shayne Hope | December 31, 2022

A refreshed Matthew Gilkes credits Sydney Thunder’s week-long break from BBL action over Christmas with his and the team’s form revival.

The Thunder slumped to a 1-3 record and were skittled for a record-low 15 by Adelaide in a horror start to the season, as Gilkes managed just six runs from four innings.

But the aggressive opener has since made scores of 56 not out, 37 and 33 post-Christmas, helping to steady the Thunder ship with back-to-back wins over Brisbane and then a swashbuckling defeat of Hobart on New Year’s Eve.

“I didn’t start very well, which was a little bit frustrating and disappointing, but I think that little break over the Christmas period was perfect for me to get refreshed and get back to basics,” Gilkes told AAP.

“Then I’ve just gone out there and felt like I’ve timed the ball a lot better and just been able to bat more time out there, which has been really nice.

“I feel like I’ve got my plans set on how I’m going to bat and I’ve felt like I’ve started to work it out a bit more over the past couple of games.

“Hopefully I can keep building with that and keep trying to contribute to good totals.”

Gilkes’ contributions haven’t only been with bat in hand.

The wicketkeeper’s spectacular diving catch down the leg side to dismiss Heat captain Jimmy Peirson on Thursday was one of the highlights of the summer so far.

“I just saw it there and threw everything I had at it,” Gilkes said.

“Fortunately enough it just hit the middle of the glove and it stuck. It was a nice feeling to get that one.”

Gilkes was one of five Thunder batsmen out for a duck in the embarrassing collapse at home to the Strikers on December 16.

Though it was immediately followed by two more losses, the 23-year-old felt it was a mental turning point for the team.

“We were all in a bit of disbelief after that night,” Gilkes said.

“But we said, ‘That’s cricket and we’re more than capable of coming out the next game and putting a big score on’.

“It’s been nice for the batters to get out there and post some runs and a few good scores recently.”