That will, however, lead to a minor calendar clash for Boult, especially if Thunder make 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 set to turn out for MICT again, who start 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.
“I’m really excited to be playing in the Big Bash again and joining Lockie at Thunder,” Boult said in a Thunder release. “The way he gets involved is what I’m hoping to mirror and make a mark like he has – not just with the team but [with] the fans as well.
“Cricket has given me so much over the years, and I’m still at the stage where I love going out there, contributing, taking wickets, and trying to be aggressive in the powerplay.”
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 couple Kiwis in the team who have played a lot of cricket together over the years brings a level of familiarity, and I think they complement each other really well as a right-arm and left-arm pairing. 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 said he was looking forward to achieve something special with Thunder and work with Flintoff.
“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 bring the group together, create a great culture, and work towards something special.
“We’re trying to achieve the top prize, and it will take small steps, but I’m looking forward to hopefully achieving something special with this club.”
Thunder start their BBL 2026-27 campaign by playing Adelaide Strikers in Canberra on December 16.
Rishad Hossain back at Hurricanes
“He was outstanding for us last season. To come into the Big Bash for the first time, play every game and finish as our leading wicket-taker showed the quality he has and how quickly he adapted to Australian conditions,” Hurricanes general manager Salliann Beams said.
Rishad, 24, will team up with fellow legspinner Adam Zampa at Hurricanes, who last the Challenger to Sydney Sixers last season. After his first stint with Hurricanes last year, Rishad played for Rawalpindiz in PSL 2026. But he got just two wickets across 14 overs in four games.
