Sydney Thunder sign Trent Boult for entire BBL 2026-27 season

Sydney Thunder have signed up New Zealand quick Trent Boult for the entire BBL 2026-27 season, including for the finals. Boult has signed a one-year deal with Thunder.

However, this will result in a minor conflict in Boult's calendar, particularly if Thunder advance to the finals. The BBL is scheduled to end on January 26 and the SA20 is scheduled to begin on January 17 in South Africa. Boult is expected to participate once more for MICT, which begins their SA20 campaign on January 20. The only way Boult will avoid an overlap is if Thunder don't make the finals and finish the league stage on January 17 in Brisbane, and Boult rushes to South Africa to make it in time.

Boult, who has played only one season of the BBL so far with Melbourne Stars in 2022-23, joins fellow New Zealand quick Lockie Ferguson at Thunder.

"I'm really excited to be playing in the Big Bash again and joining Lockie at Thunder," Boult said in a Thunder release. "I'm hoping to emulate his involvement and leave a lasting impression, not only with the team but also with the fans," I said.

"Over the years, cricket has given me so much, and I'm still at the point where I love going out there, contributing, taking wickets, and trying to be aggressive in the powerplay."

Andrew Flintoff, a former England all-rounder, was named Thunder's head coach in June. After Thunder finished last in 2023-2024 and 2025-2026, Flintoff took over for Trevor Bayliss.

On the signing of Boult, Flintoff said: "Trent has an amazing reputation for being a great bloke, a team player, and a world-class performer.

"Having a few Kiwis in the team who have played a lot of cricket together over the years gives the team a sense of familiarity, and I think that as a right-arm and left-arm pairing, they work really well together. One of the things we haven't been able to do in recent times is take wickets with the new ball, so hopefully these two can remedy that."

Boult stated that working with Flintoff and Thunder would be exciting experiences for him.

"Every cricketer idolised Freddie (Flintoff) as a kid (and) I was one of them," Boult was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. "I'm sure he wants to unite the group, establish a wonderful culture, and work toward something unique.

"I'm looking forward to hopefully achieving something special with this club," says the president. "We're trying to achieve the top prize, and it will take small steps."

Boult was the second-highest wicket-taker for champions Edinburgh Castle Rockers in the inaugural edition of the ETPL, taking 16 wickets at an economy rate of 6.63. That included bagging a career-best 5 for 24 against Glasgow Cosmic.

Thunder start their BBL 2026-27 campaign by playing Adelaide Strikers in Canberra on December 16.