Hobart Hurricanes lose imports after Thunder clash

After the departure of two internationals, Hobart Hurricanes coach Jeff Vaughan believes a poor run of imports could be over. He gives an insight into the “options” to replace them.

Shai Hope has departed the Hurricanes. Photo: James Elsby/Getty Images.

Hobart Hurricanes coach Jeff Vaughan believes the Big Bash League franchise’s luck with international players may have finally turned the corner.

Heading into Friday night’s clash with the Sydney Thunder, the Hurricanes have bid farewell to two of season’s imports — Shai Hope and Waqar Salamkheil.

The pair were expected to play their final game for the Hurricanes on Wednesday night against the same opposition but Sydney’s wet weather saw it called off.

In recent seasons, the men in purple have often struggled to find an import who has made a massive impact but Vaughan is hoping it’s a trend now behind his squad.

He pointed to Englishman Chris Jordan as one of the success stories in recent years.

“He’s not only been a worldwide superstar but he’s been fantastic for our group,” Vaughan said of Jordan.

“He’s obviously performed on the field, we’ve committed to him long-term. It’s great to have him for the full tournament.

“The sense of what’s gone before is gone now. We’re really pleased with what Waqar and Shai have brought to us. They’ve contributed to wins for us.

“We’d love to have them back in Purple. We’re hopeful this time next year we’re talking similarly about both players.”

The next challenge for Vaughan and his coaching staff becomes how to replace the duo starting at Bellerive.

Caleb Jewell is expected to win a recall to the 11 while spinners Peter Hatzoglou and Paddy Dooley could both come into the frame.

“We’ve got some options, we could keep a similar structure to bring a batter and a spinner in, look at bring multiple spin (options) in, look at multiple batters in,” the experienced coach said.

“We’ve got some pace options as well. We’ll look at our match ups against a different Thunder team.”

While they are able to replace the internationals, Vaughan said the plan was to back in the players already in Hobart.

“We’ve made a decision that we won’t (bring other internationals in),” he said.

“We’re really satisfied with our domestic players. We’re very fortunate we’ve got a very strong domestic list.

“We feel we have everything covered at the moment.”

How Hurricanes are set to deal with line-up changes

Hobart Hurricanes captain Nathan Ellis is confident local talents can step up when two of the Big Bash franchise’s internationals depart.

Batsman Shai Hope and spinner Waqar Salamkheil will play their final games when the Canes take on the Thunder on Wednesday night.

And the club has no plans to replace them with other imports.

“It’s an interesting one,” Ellis said of potential changes to the batting line-up in particular.

“We’ve already had Caleb (Jewell) come in for Wadey this season when Wadey went down with a calf injury.

“We’ve got Charlie Wakim and Jake Doran in the ranks. The pairing of the experienced guys in our squad, it’s really powerful we’ve got great depth in both local talent and interstate talent.

“Everyone is ready to go. It doesn’t feel like we’re carrying anyone where it feels like it will be an experiment.

“We’re assured whoever gets the nod will be ready to go on the night.”

The Hurricanes have won four straight and could strengthen with bid for a finals place with a win over the David Warner captained Thunder, who are also 4-1.

Ellis said a key reason for his side’s form was the stars aligning in player’s form.

“It feels like we’ve had a few years building towards this moment,” he said.

“We’ve got guys in different stages of their career but have been building to get to this point.

“For example, Riley Meredith has gone up a gear this year, he’s added different facets to his game. And Tim is another one the other night.

“Tim is a funny one because I know how good he is and I’m a huge Tim David advocate but it was just really exciting to see Tim get us home the other night and see the x-factor Tim David brings to this team.”

Tim David, Riley Meredith and Billy Stanlake of the Hurricanes. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

While they’ve won four straight, Ellis is aware just how quickly it could all change.

“Obviously a really good change room to be in at the moment,” he said.

“When you have a start of 4-1 everything seems bright and great but I think it’s really important for us not to get too far ahead of ourselves.

“It’s something we’ve been searching for over the past couple of years, a start like this.

“I think it’s been a really fun and enjoyable campaign so far. The challenge now is to continue that now whether it’s good, bad or ugly.”

Meanwhile, Tasmanian spinner Amy Smith is keen to make up for lost time when she travels to Sydney for the Governor-General’s XI clash with England on Thursday.

Smith was originally selected in the squad for last year’s game but was withdrawn due to a stress fracture in her neck.

But now the 20-year-old is keen to make her mark alongside Heather Graham who has also been selected in a 14-player squad for the game at North Sydney Oval.

Speaking before leaving Hobart, Smith said it had been a long road after the neck injury which was followed by a stress reaction in August.

“It was bad timing with the injury last year but I’m glad I’ve been able to put performances on the board and been selected now,” she said.

“Hopefully that stays away now and I can just focus on my cricket.

“It hasn’t been the easiest ride.”

Australian captain Alyssa Healy is one of four nationally contracted players who have been selected in the squad which will be captained by Victoria’s Nicole Faltum.

“It’s just a really great opportunity. I’m really keen to meet some of the other girls from around Australia and the different coaches,” Smith said.

“I’m really excited to be around the group.”

Thursday’s game will get underway at 10.05am.

It will be England’s final preparation before the Women’s Ashes start at the same venue on Sunday.

The key reason for Hurricanes form

Hobart Hurricanes batsman Tim David puts his side’s run of four straight Big Bash wins down to an even team balance.

The Canes strengthened their finals bid after overcoming the Adelaide Strikers on Sunday night by five wickets on the back of an impressive batting performance from David.

“It has been so good so far this season, everyone has contributed to wins in different ways,” David said.

“It was my turn to put my hand up when the team needed me so stoked to be able to contribute.

“You never want to peak midway through the season but everyone has contributed so far in our batting order which is a great place to be.

“Everyone is starting to understand their role a bit better which is what we’ve been trying to achieve as a group.”

While there has been brilliant batting displays with the bat and ball, David pointed to his side’s work in the field as one of the key reasons for a 4-1 record.

There had been concerns about the Hurricanes’ prospects after they were comprehensively beaten by the Melbourne Renegades in the opening game of the season.

“I think the biggest part we’ve done well so far is our fielding, it’s been brilliant so far this season,” David said.

“It sounds so cliche but we’ve been doing a lot of the one percenters you don’t have to do.

“We’re building towards a finals crack this year, we’re only halfway through, but we’re in a good spot so far.”

The Canes won on the back of an exciting run chase. Photo: Steve Bell/Getty Images.

Changes to the Hurricanes line-up will be made in coming matches with internationals Shai Hope and Waqar Salamkheil to depart after the next game against the Sydney Thunder.

“There’s going to be a challenge because we’re going to lose our overseas players in a couple of matches and they’ve been doing big jobs for us,” David said.

The Hurricanes and Thunder will face off twice in three days this week, on Wednesday and Friday.

“They’re class side, we knew after their (Big Bash) draft they had a great list,” David said.

“Our benchmark this season has been to beat the best teams, you need to do that to have a finals tilt.”

Originally published as Hobart Hurricanes lose imports after Thunder clash