Squad depth to be tested as Hurricanes stars hit by injuries

Captain Matthew Wade’s return can’t come quick enough for the Hurricanes, but it is their bowling depth that is going to be fully tested as another star has gone down for Hobart.

HOBART’S depth is about to get a full-blown examination as the crunch period of the Big Bash tournament begins.

The Hurricanes squad flew to Brisbane from Perth yesterday without rising star Riley Meredith, who returned home for scans after suffering a side strain in the eight-run victory against the Scorchers.

He joins James Faulkner on the sidelines in a horror injury blow (calf) which has claimed two of the side’s most important pieces in the space of three days.

Import David Miller will need to pass a fitness test (calf tightness) to take his place against the Heat on Thursday after not fielding against the Scorchers.

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Batting centrepiece D’Arcy Short, who blazed his second BBL century at Optus Stadium, will also miss the next six games with the Australian One Day squad, although his loss is softened by the return of captain Matthew Wade from Test duties.

David Miller of the Hurricanes leaves the field after being dismissed by Fawad Ahmed of the Scorchers during the BBL match between the Perth Scorchers and Hobart Hurricanes at Optus Stadium in Perth, Sunday, January 5, 2020. Picture: AAP IMAGE/RICHARD WAINWRIGHT

However, it is another reshuffle of the bowling stocks that will be the focus for coach Adam Griffith as the Hurricanes look to continue their momentum having squared their win-loss record at 3-3.

“One of the things we talked about at the start of the season was the depths of our squad, we wanted to use them all,” Griffith said.

“Probably not in this way but unfortunately Jimmy with his calf, Riley with his side. We’ll send him home and get some scans and see where that’s at.

“It [the severity] depends on where it is, if it is a little impingement with bone bashing on bone sometimes you can get through that, but if there is a bit of a strain in there sometimes it can take a bit of time.

“But you know if it’s bad, and he finished the over, that’s always a reasonable sign.

“Arguably he’s been our best bowler this tournament, he’s bowled well in every game. He’s been outstanding, and that’s why we will be really cautious with him managing through this, get some physio into him when he gets home, get scans done and see where we are at.”

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David Moody is likely to join the squad in Brisbane.

With Short’s absence leaving a big gap at the top of the order, Griffith is hopeful the return of Wade can have a two-fold impact by lessening the load on stand in skipper Ben McDermott.

“Ben has done a great job as captain for the first half of the tournament but it will be great for him to be able to relax a little bit away from the captaincy.

“We saw him start to get going last game and it’s time for those guys to step up now that D’Arcy is away.”

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