They boast almost 30 years of first-class cricket experience between them, but Sydney Thunder veterans Callum Ferguson and Usman Khawaja are still as sprightly as ever.
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Just ask new recruit Ben Cutting, who has spent the first half of this summer's Big Bash admiring the pair from close quarters as the Thunder have exceeded expectations to collect five wins already.
Cutting, who is hoping his side notches a sixth win on Thursday in Perth against the Hobart Hurricanes, has played a lot of cricket for Queensland alongside Khawaja.
For the past 12 years Cutting has also regularly battled Ferguson at state level, but this summer has been able to spend time at the crease alongside the 36-year-old who has compiled three half centuries in seven innings.
"He's such a classy cricketer, he's up there with the leading run scorers of the BBL and he's not slogging he's just playing good, conventional cricket shots which is not seen that often any more these days in T20 cricket," Cutting said.
"I've played a fair few Aussie A games with him but also a lot of state cricket and Big Bash cricket against him for 10 or 15 years. I'm happy to be on the same team as him."
Ferguson has 243 runs already this BBL, just 34 less than the competition's leading run scorer, Hobart slugger Ben McDermott.
Khawaja has 164 runs from seven knocks this season and Cutting said the 34-year-old's relaxed mindset was starting to pay off.
"He's building up to something pretty special with the bat, he's not far away in the BBL," Cutting said.
"As for the relaxed approach - you get a little bit older, you spend a bit more time around guys, they start having kids. That seems to be the general approach when they pop out their first.
"I certainly prefer bowling to him in the nets than having to go up against him in a game playing for another team."
MORE SYDNEY THUNDER NEWS
With all-rounder Daniel Sams to miss Thursday's clash with Hobart after suffering a concussion in Monday's loss to Brisbane, Thunder coach Shane Bond will consider selecting a fully fit Alex Ross who has played just twice this season.
The Thunder also play the Perth Scorchers on Saturday night.
"It's going to be good fun, particularly against Hobart at Perth which is a neutral venue, neither of our teams have played a lot of cricket at the Optus Stadium," Cutting said.
"It should be entertaining, Riley Meredith steaming in bowling 150 from one end and Adam Milne doing the same at the other."
THURSDAY: Sydney Thunder v Hobart Hurricanes, Optus Stadium, Perth, 6.10pm AWST
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
