Caleb Jewell opens the batting for Hobart Hurricanes signings
Local batting star Caleb Jewell has earned another contract with the Hobart Hurricanes for BBL|11. LATEST >>
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BATTING young gun Caleb Jewell is back on the Cane Train after signing a new one-year deal with the Hobart Hurricanes for BBL|11.
The 24-year-old opening the batting in terms of Hurricanes signings for this summer after his break-out season in 2020-21.
It will be his third BBL with the Canes, having debuted in BBL|09 and then signing as a replacement player last season.
“I’m thrilled to be back in purple again this year,” Jewell said.
“I spent a bit of time with the Hurricanes guys in the hub here in Tasmania last year, but for various reasons didn’t get a game.
“When the guys were away in the hub in January, I worked really hard on my batting which led to some good individual form for me later in the season.
“I’m hoping I can translate some of that success into my T20 cricket for the Hurricanes this summer.”
Jewell joins Scott Boland, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Peter Handscomb, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Wil Parker, D’Arcy Short, Matthew Wade and Mac Wright as players already under contract to the Hurricanes for KFC BBL|11.
After impressive form for North Hobart in the first half of the 2020-21 CTPL season – which included five centuries and 125 off just 49 deliveries to lead his side to victory over University in the CTPL T20 Final – Jewell earned a re-call to the Tigers playing squad.
Jewell went on to make his maiden first-class hundred – 140 off 236 deliveries against Queensland at Blundstone Arena – and was selected to play in every Tigers XI for the rest of the season.
As well as impressing with the red ball at a first-class level, Jewell was also dominant for the Tigers with the white ball in season 2020-21.
As a finalist in the Jack Simmons Medal – presented to the Tigers Marsh One-Day Cup Player of the Season – Jewell scored a total of 171 runs at an average of 42.75, making him the Tigers second-highest run-scorer for the tournament.
Hurricanes lock away teen spin sensation for two years
TEENAGE spin whiz Amy Smith will look to build on her breakout Big Bash campaign last summer after signing a two-year deal to remain at the Hobart Hurricanes.
The 16-year-old — who two years ago became the youngest debutant in the history of Tasmanian cricket when she was picked for her first WNCL match — was one of the few shining lights in Hobart’s dismal WBBL season.
She feature in all 13 matches for the Hurricanes, finishing as the club’s equal third-highest wicket-taker alongside seamer Belinda Vakarewa with eight wickets to her name at an average of 28.6.
Smith was called into the squad for injured fellow leg spinner Maisy Gibson, and quickly defied her inexperience by bamboozling a host of international calibre talent.
Among her wickets last summer were big scalps Ashleigh Gardner, Erin Burns, Lizelle Lee and Tahlia McGrath.
Now she is set to form a lethal combination alongside Gibson, who played a vital role for the side in 2019-20 and will return to the field after missing all of last season’s tournament.
“It’s a bit of a strange feeling as although I now have a season under my belt, I still feel a little like I’m not sure what to expect this season, with my only WBBL experience being living in a bubble,” the humble emerging star said.
“However, on-field, I think I know a lot more about what to expect now, so I’ll focus on that, and hopefully and we’ll get to play our matches here in Tasmania, which I’m really looking forward to.”
Smith joins Gibson, Vakarewa, Rachel Priest, Chloe Rafferty, Naomi Stalenberg, Tayla Vlaeminck and boom recruit Molly Strano as the contracted players to the Hurricanes for WBBL|07.
Our George elevated to top selection spot
TASMANIA has its first cricket national chairman of selectors after George Bailey was elevated to the role.
Bailey, a former Australian T20, one-day international, Hurricanes and Tasmanian captain, replaced the retiring Trevor Hohns who first joined the selection panel in 1991.
The 38-year-old originally from Launceston has always been highly regarded by Cricket Australia, so much so he made his international debut as captain in a T20 match against India in 2012 – just the second ever Australian to play his first game and lead in the same match.
He first joined the board in 2019.
Bailey said he was looking forward to the new role in a busy period for the Australian men’s team with the ICC T20 World Cup, a home Ashes and away tours to the subcontinent in the short term.
“Firstly, I would like to thank Trevor for his incredible work, which has helped shape the success of Australian cricket over a long period, including during my days as a player and captain,” Bailey said.
“In what can be a challenging job, Trevor has always been calm, consistent and approachable.
“Similarly to his journey, he has made my transition from player to selector as smooth as possible.
“There is a lot I will take from Trevor’s style and very much look forward to the journey ahead.”
CA’s executive general manager, high performance and national teams Ben Oliver said the search had begun for a third panel member to join Bailey and head coach Justin Langer.
“George is a highly respected leader who is now well established on the NSP alongside Justin as the head coach,” Oliver said.
“He has brought recent playing experience with a deep understanding of the game, an open and collaborative style and a desire to keep improving the selection function.
“The third panel member will add to their combined experience as we look for someone who will bring complementary skills along with their own perspective and diversity of thinking.”
Hohns logged an impressive honour roll during his time as a selector including World Cups, multiple Ashes wins in England and at home as well as historic away victories over India and Pakistan.
He has presided over the selection of many of Australia’s greatest teams including those from the dominant Allan Border and Mark Taylor eras to the world-record winning Ricky Ponting team that won 21 successive one-day internationals.
His first tenure included five straight Ashes series wins and a record 16 consecutive Test wins, as well as back-to-back World Cups in 1999 and 2003.
“The game has been great to me and I have loved every minute of it, from the good times to the bad,” Hohns said.
“I have been extremely fortunate to be involved with some of the greatest Australian teams of all time and many of the best players to have played the game.”
WNCL: Tigers suffer first loss of title defence
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