THE SYDNEY Thunder are back in another WBBL finals series, and are gearing up for their second consecutive Knockout final when they host the Hobart Hurricanes tonight.

It has been a year with plenty of change at the club, one of which was the appointing of a new captain in Phoebe Litchfield.

“I’ve learned a lot,” Litchfield said, speaking on her time so far as captain.  

“I haven’t changed a lot, just have to make a few more decisions out in the middle. But I think that’s the biggest thing I’ve learned is just to take my own path with it. Not trying to be anyone who I’ve looked up to, just to be myself and make a few more decisions at the end of the day.”

One of the Thunder players who has had a huge year is Sam Bates, who has had a bit of a breakout season.

When asked what she puts her stand out year down to, she pointed towards a little bit of “life perspective.”

“I moved back to Newcastle to be around friends and family more, which I think I didn’t realise how much energy they give me, and so I’ve been able to actually bring that into my cricket, which has been really exciting,” Bates said.

It has been a bigger week for some Thunder players than others, with Hannah Darlington one of a number of players to sign contract extensions this week.

“I think it’s really exciting sign of where this club wants to go,” Darlington said.

“We’ve sort of spoken about it the last few years that there’s this young core, but now we’re quite experienced and then plan to stay at the club for a long time. So yeah, it’s nice to show that the club has put that faith back in us and hopefully we repay them over the next few years with a few trophies.”

Darlington was not the only one with some big news this week, with Georgia Voll earning her first international call up this week.

“It’s really exciting for me to be selected in the upcoming series, but right now I’m solely focused on the Thunders game,” Voll said.

“Hopefully we can get the win and move up to Brisbane on Friday.”

It’s been a big year overall for Voll, having made the move from the Brisbane Heat down to the Thunder in search of more opportunities.

“I think for me the biggest part was getting a fresh opportunity and playing with some new people and working under different coaches,” Voll said.

“It’s been nice to be able to sort of thrive in this environment. I’ve loved it down here, love the girls and that’s when I know when I’m playing my best cricket is when I’m enjoying myself.

“When I first came down here it was literally just about that and the cricket would take care of itself, and I never thought that it would lead to an Aussie call up, but I guess that’s what happens when you’re enjoying yourself and enjoying cricket.”