HOBART HURRICANES
LAST SEASON: 5th (3 wins, 5 losses)
PREDICTION: CHAMPIONS
In: Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka), Shaun Tait (Adelaide), Dan Christian, Simon Milenko (both Brisbane), Clive Rose (Stars)
Out: Evan Gulbis, Ben Hilfenhaus (Stars), Alex Hales (UK), Shoaib Malik (Pakistan), Xavier Doherty (Renegades)
Retained: Tim Paine, Ben Dunk, Cameron Boyce, Darren Sammy, Jake Reed, Timm van der Gugten, Michael Hill, Sam Rainbird, Jon Wells, Beau Webster, George Bailey, Joe Mennie, Dom Michael.
THE BRIEF
Look no further than the very first IN and you know the Hurricanes will at the very least perform better than last season. As I have harped on throughout, many of each team’s destiny will be largely determined by how many players are called up to the national one day side. And that’s why I have Hobart as my champion.
It’s a list oozing with quality but one which should go largely untouched by Rod Marsh and co.
The bowling appears the weakness and I admit, it is a concern, but this is a batsman’s game and the batting line-up is elite.
THE FAB FIVE
KUMAR SANGAKKARA (batsman)
One of the finest cricketers to ever play the game. A crisp striker and fast scorer, Sanga has been a thorn in the side of every international line-up in every form of the game. After a so-so run with internationals, the Hurricanes signing of Sangakkara is the biggest coup in their history and his availability for the entirety of the Big Bash means stability and style at the top of the order every match.
BEN DUNK (wicket keeper batsman)
Shares the keeping duties with his opening partner Tim Paine but it is with the bat where Ben Dunk has made his mark. Rose to prominence a couple of seasons ago as the competition’s leading run scorer and after yet another great series last season, won his way into the Australian Twenty 20 team. Has proved one of the most exciting and consistent players in the league in recent seasons.
GEORGE BAILEY (batsman)
Former captain of both this side and also of the Australian Twenty 20 side, but has relinquished that role in a bid to concentrate on winning a spot back in the test team. A damaging and reliable batsman, Bailey can often be a slow starter before, in the blink of an eye, be batting at better than a run a ball. A super fielder and sharp mind, he is sure to act as a sounding board for new captain Tim Paine.
DARREN SAMMY (all rounder)
Returns to Blundstone arena and to the BBL. Or BBLB, as Sammy famously called it after his man of the match heroics against the Stars last season. “It’s the BIG BASH LEAGUE BABY” he said in that super cool St Lucian accent. His big hitting, his lock down bowling and his athletic fielding, coupled with the fact he is just so damn cool, made him a favourite with fans, teammates and especially his coach, Damien Wright. Limited in his availability last season, the Hurricanes should have him for the entire campaign this year.
TIM PAINE (wicket keeper batsman)
Long felt his best spot in the batting order was at the top and finally won over the powers that be to be positioned there. Now captain of the team, taking over from George Bailey, there’ll be no debate as to where he bats. Has been out of sorts and out of the side for Tasmania at shield level and will be hoping the big bash can return him to form and also to the state side. An excellent player at his best, he has formed a lucrative opening partnership with Ben Dunk.
