Watson named Sydney Thunder captain

Shane Watson has been named as the new captain of the Sydney Thunder following the retirement earlier this year of Michael Hussey.

Hussey led the Thunder to the BBL title last summer but then stepped away from his playing role to take up a position as the team's director of cricket.

Watson, who retired from all international cricket following the World Twenty20 in March, will lead the side in their title defence this season.

"I'm very excited to be chosen as captain of the Sydney Thunder," Watson said. "I've got big shoes to fill with Mike Hussey doing an incredible job over the past couple of years. I'm going to have to be at my best to live up to what Mike's done.

"I've got my own personality and style on how I like to play T20 cricket from my experiences of playing a lot of T20 cricket. Things won't change that much but I have my own ideas on how the team can get the best out of themselves against world class opposition."