Much-loved Sydney Sixers veteran Daniel Hughes has put pen to paper ahead of the KFC BBL|14 season, officially marking a decade with the club.
Opting to turn down offers from rival teams, the two-time Big Bash champion was determined to stay loyal to the Sixers, saying the club felt like home.
“[The Sixers] are like a family to me,” Hughes said.
“They gave me an opportunity at the start when no other clubs were looking to sign me so I’m very thankful for that.
“Our fans are the best in the competition. They always get out and support us and we love running out in front of them and putting on good performances so I can’t wait to that again this year."
Crediting the strong bond of the playing group – led by head coach Greg Shipperd and captain Moises Henriques – Hughes said he can’t wait to get going again this summer.
“We’ve kept the core of the same group together for a long time. We’re all very good mates and we’ve played some really good cricket as well so I can’t wait to get out there and do it again.
“We have a special group […] and we have two special leaders in Shippy and Moises.
“They just know how to get the best out of every individual. Not only are they great cricket brains but they’re great friends and people off the field.”
Joining the club for the second edition of the Big Bash, Hughes relocated cross-town to Sydney Thunder for the BBL|03 and BBL|04 seasons before making his homecoming to the Sixers ahead of BBL|06.
Now one of the club’s all-time leading run-scorers, the 35-year-old raised the bat last summer, notching his 100th appearance in the Big Bash.
Sydney Sixers BBL|14 squad:
Sean Abbott, Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Todd Murphy, Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, Jordan Silk.