Hobart Hurricanes chase historic Big Bash League double
As Hobart’s WBBL team prepares to make history, the city’s defending BBL men’s champions are attempting to prove last season was no fluke.
This article has been produced in partnership with Cricket Australia and the Big Bash League.
Tasmania waited more than a decade for a Big Bash title, and when it finally came last summer, the Hurricanes made sure it arrived in style.
Now, on Tuesday at Ninja Stadium, Hobart opens its BBL title defence with a blockbuster grand final rematch against the Sydney Thunder – the same side they dismantled to clinch its maiden championship in January with 35 balls to spare.
After opener Mitch Owen smashed 108 off just 42 balls, Ben McDermott struck the winning boundary to seal the historic win in front of 15,700 roaring home fans. The batsman is hoping for a similar atmosphere when they run out again for a replay under lights.
“Just to recreate that last game would be amazing,” McDermott, 31, says. “To start off with probably one of the tougher games and that the fans can help us get over the line, that would be a nice little start to the Big Bash.”
“It’s really exciting times for Tasmanian cricket. Obviously with the win last year as well, I think we should have some good numbers coming down at Ninja Stadium.”
Hobart stormed through 2024/25, finishing top of the table and earning a home final for the first time. With an almost unchanged squad, it’s determined to prove it wasn’t a one-off.
“We’ve had a good team on paper for the last 10 years, but we haven’t really put it together like we did last year,” McDermott says.
“We’re really keen to get going. We know it’s a new season. Everyone’s looking to come for us this year as well. We’re going to have to be even more prepared and see where we can improve.”
With the men’s Ashes running alongside the Big Bash – featuring Tasmania representatives Jake Weatherald and Beau Webster – and a T20 World Cup on the horizon, McDermott expects intensity to rise across the competition.
“I think this year seems to be hyped up the most that I can ever remember,” he says.
“It’s going to be a little bit of a race ... people will be really trying to put their name up in lights.
“The pinnacle for guys like myself is trying to win World Cups. To get into that squad would be amazing.”
And if any ground is built for a statement opener, it’s Ninja Stadium. McDermott says the ground’s fast outfield and short side are primed for high-scoring innings.
“It’s a unique ground ... it’s good to bat on. The ball seems to fly around a lot and there’s generally lots of runs scored,” McDermott says.
“It’s got its own little personality. It’s awesome to play. We’ve got a little bit of a formula of how we like to play there as well. I think it’s just exciting to watch cricket there.”
After their opening night, the Hurricanes head into three away matches over Christmas, before returning home for Melbourne Renegades on December 29 and a New Year’s Day hitout against the Perth Scorchers on January 1.
But first, the defending champions must come out firing against the Thunder.
“The Thunder are going to come out strong again. They’re always a really good side and they look like they were really well led by David Warner. They’ve got lots of match winners,” McDermott says. “We’re going to have to be on our game.”
Hungry to make history in WBBL
After a decade of waiting, the Hobart Hurricanes finally have their shot.
For the first time in the competition’s 10-year history, Hobart will chase their maiden WBBL crown on home soil when the Weber WBBL|11 Final lands at Ninja Stadium in Hobart this Saturday.
And it could mark a remarkable Tasmanian double. Just 11 months after the Hurricanes men lifted their maiden BBL trophy, also at Ninja Stadium, the club now stands one victory away from adding its first women’s title to the cabinet.
The Hurricanes finished top of the table to become the first side to secure a finals berth.
The squad powered through the opening rounds with five straight wins – their best start in a decade. A mid-season stumble against the Sixers and Stars threatened momentum, but consecutive home victories steadied the ship and locked in a historic final in Tasmania.
They enter with a 7-2-1 record, and while the extended lead-in presents a new challenge – just half a match played in the past 12 days due to weather – Hobart used the break to freshen up, reset and regroup, leaning on one of the most experienced lists in WBBL, led by captain Elyse Villani.
Danni Wyatt-Hodge has been electric with the bat, finishing the regular season as the league’s second-highest run-scorer with 416 at an average of 52. With ball, Heather Graham has led the way, collecting 14 wickets and a best of 4/29.
Their home fortress helps too. Ninja Stadium’s fast outfield and short square boundary make it the kind of venue where momentum can snowball quickly.
Fans can soak up the atmosphere on Saturday night with fan zone activations, tunes courtesy of resident saxophonist Gust and DJ Cane and Hugo Bladel’s roaming disco.
The Hurricanes know how to play here, and they know how quickly the runs can flow.
The city is ready. The purple army will be loud.
This article has been produced in partnership with Cricket Australia and the Big Bash League.
