Hurricanes coach Salliann Briggs reveals finals ambition for WBBL|06

Hobart Hurricanes coach Salliann Briggs has set her players an ambitious target for WBBL|06 and revealed what the players need to do to reach the goal.

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AFTER a season to forget, Hobart Hurricanes coach Salliann Briggs has set the bar high for WBBL|06.

In fact, it has been a rather bleak little period for the ’Canes, having finished last or second last in each of the past three seasons.

But despite finishing second last in WBBL|05, Briggs is aiming for a return to finals action as they kick start their WBBL campaign today, taking some confidence from a scratch match win over the Adelaide Strikers.

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Despite some changes to the side’s bowling order this season – including the loss of key pair Tayla Vlaeminck and Maisey Gibson – Briggs believes the Hurricanes have the firepower to challenge in season 2020.

“Those two key bowlers for us are definitely a big loss, but I am confident we have some good replacements,” she said.

“We had Adelaide Strikers 5-25 so we’ve got some good wicket-takers with some good spin options as well, so the bowling unit looks good.”

Hurricanes coach Salliann Briggs. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

Briggs, who took over the ’Canes reins from Julia Price in 2018, said as well as playing finals this year, the side needed to work on its execution.

“It’s pretty simple for us – we want to make the finals. But for us, when we get in those close positions in games, being able to execute our roles is the key thing,” she said.

“We’ve played so many games over the past two years where we keep getting ourselves in those positions and let it slip at the back end. So, if we are clinching those victories in the close games I know we’ll be improving as a team.”

Hobart Hurricanes WBBL players, from left, Naomi Stalenberg, captain Corinne Hall, Sasha Moloney and Emma Thompson. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

Briggs said the players had responded well to life in the NSW hub where they will spend the next six weeks as the competition plays out.

“Players have settled in very well. It’s great to have those key [overseas] players in, such as, Chloe [Tryon] and Hayley [Matthews] who have brought so much enthusiasm and energy to the group,” she said.

“We’ve got several other girls alongside that who’ve fitted in really well. I was probably a bit concerned about how we’d get to know each other so quickly but we’ve got such good people in there so it’s been seamless.”

“From what I’ve seen over the last few days we’ll have no issues at all gelling as a team.

“The key thing for us is making sure that when we’re in those strong winning positions we execute our role.”

Hayley Matthews will again be a key player for the Hurricanes this season. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty

The Hurricanes have named a 13-strong squad for today’s season opener from 10.30am against the Strikers at Hurstville Oval, with Naomi Stalenberg, Rachel Priest, Amy Smith, Chloe Rafferty and Erica Kershaw all in line to make their Hobart debut.

HURRICANES SQUAD: Naomi Stalenberg, Rachel Priest, Hayley Matthews, Nicola Carey, Chloe Tryon, Corinne Hall (c), Sasha Moloney, Emma Thompson, Amy Smith, Brooke Hepburn, Belinda Vakarewa, Chloe Rafferty, Erica Kershaw.

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EXCITEMENT is building among the Hurricanes’ playing group, captain Corinne Hall says, as the side prepares to open its WBBL|06 campaign today.

Preparation this season has been different to most for the Hurricanes players who are bound to a village at a NSW hub where the WBBL competition will be played out.

Hall said the hub experience was an “overwhelming” one upon the side’s village entry.

“When we got here we quickly settled in and got some dinner and then tackled the next day but I think from that first moment it’s been really good here,” Hall said.

“Cricket Australia has given us lots of areas indoor and outdoor where we can escape to outside of our training and other commitments.”

Hobart Hurricanes captain Corinne Hall. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

Hall said the players had put in months of training and hard work she said she hoped would translate to success on game day when the side takes on the Adelaide Strikers in its opening match of the season.

“I think everyone’s really excited. We’ve done so much work over the past six months and I think we’re ready to put that into practice,” she said. “We had our first practice match on Thursday against the Strikers and even though we didn’t have the perfect game, we still won and it was nice to have that winning feeling in a competitive environment again.

“Hopefully we can take confidence from that game into the weekend.”