All-rounder Ben Cutting has re-signed with the Sydney Thunder on a one-year deal, feeling rejuvenated after spending his off-season with renowned sports psychologist Noel Blundell and working on his bowling with coach Joe Dawes.
Cutting is "loving cricket more than ever" after rediscovering his desire to play a carefree, youthful style in sessions with Blundell.
Ahead of BBL|12, the former Austalia international is full of positivity and excitement for what his team can achieve.
"One of the big things I've gained from working with Noel was the desire to get back to playing my natural game," Cutting told club media.
"That means playing without the handbrake on; playing without the worry about results or the decisions that are made on the field.
"I believe it is a matter of going out and playing with the same freedom I did as a kid 20-odd years ago."
Cutting is keen on recapturing his all-round game this season, having spent extensive time in the nets with Dawes.
"My role has fluctuated over the last 15 or so years from being a guy who just bowled fast and wanted to take wickets to becoming more of a batter in T20," he said.
"I'm aiming this summer to fuse together my batting and bowling games for Thunder. I want to get them firing.
"I've worked on my bowling with Joe over the winter and it has been great. As a result of the sessions, I've made some adjustments under his guidance."
Andrew Gilchrist, Head of Sydney Thunder, was pleased to see the work and initiative of Cutting this Winter.
"Ben Cutting is one of the best team men going around," said Gilchrist.
"You would be hard-pressed to find a better man than him, and he also plays a crucial role for Thunder in that he's willing to slot into wherever the team requires."
After losing to Adelaide in The Knockout last season, the Thunder will be happy to have boosted their leadership by re-signing Cutting and adding massive signing David Warner on a two-year deal.
