The ongoing speculation over whether David Warner will turn out in this year's Big Bash League campaign is reportedly over, with the Sydney Thunder set to announce his signature.
The Thunder, who haven't won the competition since the fifth edition back in 2015-16, but have made the finals in each of the last three seasons, have been Warner's previous BBL club and according to The Sydney Morning Herald, he is about to play in the west of Sydney once again.
He turned out for the club in 2011-12 and 2013-14, but hasn't played since, making a handful of appearances over those two seasons.
The 2011-12 season - the BBL's first - saw Warner become the club's inaugural captain and belt a century (102 off 51 balls) against the Melbourne Stars to chase down 153 in their first ever game.
The Thunder would go on to win just a single game apart from the opener that season to finish at the bottom of the table.
Warner was reportedly set to attempt to join the new IPL-backed UAE league this coming January amid a difference in money on offer between the BBL and UAE league, while a leadership ban still exists against the star from Cricket Australia which also played a part.
However, to play overseas Warner would have needed a no objection certificate from Cricket Australia - something he was never going to get.
Now, a topped up payment from the board in his contract is set to see him sign on with the Thunder to play the final five games of the season following the conclusion of the South African Test series.
South Africa were due to play an ODI series as well, however, they are now returning home to take part in their own domestic T20 competition during January. It means the BBL is going up against a South African, UAE and Bangladesh league through the month of January, once a spot that Austrlaia had exclusivity over when it came to domestic T20 leagues.
The Proteas abandoning the ODI series means Australia's multi-format players will be able to take part in the BBL from January 9, with Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja already among those who have already signed, although reports suggest former captain Steve Smith may prefer to have a break from cricket ahead of a four-Test tour of India in February and March.
