It may take more than one player to replace Jofra Archer as Hurricanes search for import continues

Jofra Archer was a star for the Hurricanes, and always going to be hard to replace, so why look for only one player to fill his big shoes?

Jofra Archer will miss the entire BBL season because of his England team commitments. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

THE Hurricanes may look to replace star import Jofra Archer with more than one player.

The ’Canes first game is just over a month away but Hobart is still on the hunt for a replacement for the rapid fire quick.

However, a change of rules could open the door for Hobart to add some flexibility to its import list.

Archer will miss all the upcoming Big Bash League season while on England’s tour of South Africa after starring with both the red and the white balls during this winter’s Ashes and World Cup campaigns.

This upcoming season, BBL teams can have up to four imports on their list, but can field only two in their starting XI in a scaled-down version of the Indian Premier League overseas player rules.

Given the Hurricanes will be without Archer for the entire BBL and one of its two best batsman Matthew Wade for most of the competition due to Test duties, it is believed the Hurricanes are looking at bringing in a bowler and a batsman to partner Afghani spinner Qais Ahmad as Hobart’s overseas players.

Matthew Wade is likely to miss most of the BBL season through Test commitments. Picture: Getty

Hurricanes general manager Scott Barnes said just who would be coming in was still being worked through.

“We are just going through the process from a list management point of view so in due course we’ll be in a position to make that announcement,” Barnes said.

“We are close to finalising our final few contracted list so we will be in a position in a couple of weeks to make those announcements.

“We are just looking to fill the need for the balance of the side.”

The Hurricanes line-up has been fairly settled in the past two years and as a result Hobart has seen finals action in both seasons.

Hobart bowling all-rounder Tom Rogers said the team had built a base for sustained success no matter who was in purple.

“The problem we have at the moment is a very good problem to have — possibly three to four international players coming in and out of our starting XI with the Hurricanes,” Rogers said.

“That’s a great problem and we want players playing for Australia but we’ve also got a lot our Hurricanes players here in Tasmania and the interstate guys slot in beautifully.

“There is a pretty good culture and I’m sure that core group of 16-18 players, those chops and changes will be no issue.”

Rogers is recovering from an ankle injury that will keep him out of Tigers one-day and Sheffield Shield matches prior to Christmas but expects to be available for the Hurricanes’ first game, a home game in Alice Springs against the Sydney Sixes on December 20.