Hobart Hurricanes player ratings
We look at what went right, what went wrong and what gaps in the Hurricanes squad need filling to capture an elusive maiden title. HAVE YOUR SAY.
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THE Big Bash has entered its final week but the Hobart Hurricanes can only look back on what might have been after crashing out in the first final.
A campaign which promised so much — and started well enough — derailed mid-tournament when injuries robbed them of arguably their three most important players.
D’Arcy Short was recalled to the Australian ODI team when Sydney Sixer Sean Abbott went down with a side strain, costing the two time player of the tournament six matches.
Then in the space of 48 hours Hobart lost James Faulkner (calf) and Riley Meredith (side strain) in a huge blow to their bowling stocks.
While Faulkner would return for the last three games to help lift the Hurricanes into the top five, Meredith was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.
All but resigned to the scrapheap after losing to Adelaide in Launceston with three games left, the squad dragged itself from the canvas to defeat the Melbourne Renegades, Sydney Thunder and the Strikers to not only snatch a top five spot but also secure a home final.
However it all unravelled in the eliminator as the Thunder exacted revenge.
So what lies ahead as the competition reaches its 10th anniversary next summer? Cricket writer ADAM SMITH looks at what went right, what went wrong and what gaps in the squad need filling to not only stay in contention for BBL|10 but take the next step and capture an elusive maiden title.
THE GOOD
The injuries to key personnel opened the door for opportunity and two Lindisfarne teammates certainly grabbed theirs.
Nathan Ellis signed the club’s second last contract but transformed into one of the finds of the tournament by the end. He was one of just three players to feature in all 15 games, finishing with the equal second most wickets (12) and third best economy rate (7.94). But it was his ability to rise to the occasion in the most tense situations which elevated his stocks.
Mac Wright debuted on a difficult wicket in Moe and then had to bide his time for a recall, but when he was included against the Melbourne Renegades he repaid the faith.
Wright top scored with an unbeaten 70 and backed up with a 64 against the Sydney Thunder. The recruitment of Scott Boland was also a success, with the former Melbourne Star topping the wickets for the Hurricanes with 15 despite missing the first five matches.
THE BAD
Injuries aside, the reliance on too few with the bat again became a concern. Overlapping international commitments meant D’Arcy Short (357 runs) and Matthew Wade (351) both missed a third of the games, yet they still finished as the two leading run scorers.
Ben McDermott provided several cameos but didn’t have the impact expected, while Caleb Jewell failed to make the most of his chances at the top and was left our of the squad for the final. Imports David Miller and Qais Ahmad were also both underwhelming aside from one blistering performance each.
WHAT’S NEEDED
The Hurricanes have the best opening combination in the competition and unearthed a perfect No. 3 in Wright, but are desperate for some additional middle order firepower, especially with George Bailey retired. McDermott regressed from last season, and needs some assistance around him. A Beau Webster type (425 runs at 42.5) would fit the mould, but could the Canes lure away the likes of a Peter Handscomb (Stars) if he was after more responsibility? A high class, economical spinner is the other hole. Opposition teams worked out Afghan teen Ahmad while as popular and workmanlike as Clive Rose is, he finished the tournament conceding more than nine runs an over.
PLAYER RATINGS
QAIS AHMAD – 3.5
Matches: 15
Wickets: 12
Best: 4-12
Average: 33.9
Economy: 8.14
Started in blaze of glory with a stunning spell in Alice Springs to rock the Sixers, but failed to take multiple wickets in another match and went wicketless in his last three games. Still only 19, so plenty to learn about his craft.
SCOTT BOLAND – 8.5
Matches: 10
Wickets: 15
Best: 3-16
Average: 21
Economy: 8.28
Recovered from missing the first five games with injury to finish as Hobart’s leading wicket taker. Stepped up against Perth when Meredith broke down and his spell against Brisbane dragged the side back into the contest defending a mediocre total.
GEORGE BAILEY – 5.5
Matches: 14
Runs: 173
HS: 43
Average: 21.6
Strike Rate: 149
Was serviceable in his final season but wasn’t the Bailey of old who could be relied on to deliver a match defining or winning innings. Was on track against the Thunder (43) before being wrongly given out caught behind.
JAKE DORAN – 3
Matches: 3
Runs: 32
HS: 28
Average: 16
Strike Rate: 80
Didn’t feature until late in the tournament and struggled to find his rhythm in two trips to the crease. Was jumped by Mac Wright and whether the two can feature in the same team moving forward remains to be seen.
NATHAN ELLIS – 10
Matches: 15
Wickets: 12
Best: 3-15
Average: 33.6
Economy: 7.94
Thrust into the limelight and delivered under pressure to stamp himself as a star for years to come. Kept his nerve to win the match against the Renegades, followed with a successful close out against Adelaide and delivered again in the final when his teammates couldn’t.
JAMES FAULKNER – 9
Matches: 7
Wickets: 10
Best: 3-26
Average: 16.1
Economy: 7.66
Remains one the most damaging bowlers in the competition with his ability to take wickets in the powerplay and then close out innings. Was barely sighted with the bat — facing just nine balls — but his durability remains the biggest concern.
JARROD FREEMAN – N/A
Matches: 0
Was unable to force his way into the squad at any stage in BBL|09, perhaps indicating he has slipped down the pecking order after featuring twice last year.
CALEB JEWELL – 3
Matches: 11
Runs: 181
HS: 31
Average: 18.1
Strike Rate: 110
Won the battle over Wright at the start of the tournament but failed to grab the golden opportunity. Had his hitting zones worked out by the opposition and as a result the runs dried up.
BEN McDERMOTT- 5
Matches: 15
Runs: 265
HS: 51*
Average: 26.5
Strike Rate: 122.7
Provided a couple of cameos but failed to back up last season’s numbers. Was shuffled around the order early before locking in a “finishing” role but must expand his game after appearing to become too reliant on his strong leg side play.
RILEY MEREDITH – 9.5
Matches: 6
Wickets: 10
Best: 3-26
Average: 13.7
Economy: 6.68
Was confirming his status as a Big Bash superstar before breaking down in Perth. Not only stepped up as a strike wicket taker but also improved his economy to be the side’s go to bowler. Appears destined for higher honours.
SIMON MILENKO – 4
Matches: 10
Runs: 96
HS: 28
Average: 10.6
Strike Rate: 100
Wickets: 3
Best: 2-29
Average: 16
Economy: 8.00
Was thrust to the top of the order without success, which seemed to dent his confidence with the bat. No doubt fills the hardest position in the side at No. 6 while only providing a few overs when conditions suit.
DAVID MILLER – 4
Matches: 14
Runs: 198
HS: 90*
Average: 22
Strike Rate: 131.1
Whirlwind knock in Launceston aside, Miller joined the long list of international batsmen who have failed to fire for Hobart. Showed glimpses on Christmas Eve but could never get himself fully into the tournament.
DAVID MOODY- N/A
Matches: 0
Travelled with the squad on several occasions but never reached the starting XI.
TOM ROGERS – 3.5
Matches: 8
Runs: 25
HS: 17
Average: 8.3
Strike Rate: 67.5
Wickets: 5
Best: 2-30
Average: 46.6
Economy: 8.84
Was asked to take on more responsibility with the injuries and while serviceable, didn’t fully make the most of his opportunity. Was important in Perth when Meredith went down but has a tendency to bowl too many boundary hitting balls.
CLIVE ROSE – 5
Matches: 14
Runs: 91
HS: 32*
Average: 13
Strike Rate: 162.5
Wickets: 9
Best: 2-16
Average: 38.2
Economy: 9.05
Provided more with the bat than the ball in the first half of the tournament before finally ending a long wicket drought in Sydney against the Thunder. The gap between his best and worst is the major concern.
D’ARCY SHORT – 8
Matches: 9
Runs: 357
HS: 103*
Average: 44.6
Strike Rate: 131.2
Wickets: 6
Best: 5-21
Average: 28.1
Economy: 9.9
A century and three 50s saw Short again top the run list for the Hurricanes despite missing six matches. Provided three match winning knocks but will be kicking himself for his dismissal in the final when set.
AARON SUMMERS- N/A
Matches: 0
Was not required during the tournament.
MATTHEW WADE – 9.5
Matches: 9
Runs: 351
HS: 130*
Average: 50.1
Strike Rate: 171.2
With the team’s season on the line bashed back to back brutal half centuries then completed an incredible week with a franchise record 130 not out against Adelaide to secure a finals berth.
Did Adam get the ratings right? Who is your top rated player? Have your say in the comments section below.
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