Hobart Hurricanes deliver perfect start to its BBL campaign

In the very first Big Bash match at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast the Hurricanes have had a perfect start to its BBL campaign.

Jofra Archer (right) reacts after taking the wicket of Ben Cutting of the Heat during the Big Bash League (BBL) match between the Brisbane Heat and the Hobart Hurricanes at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast. Picture: AAP IMAGE/DAVE HUNT

A WILY veteran, a rising young star and one of cricket’s next big things have combined to give Hobart the perfect start to its BBL campaign.

In the very first Big Bash match at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast, the Hurricanes had some nervous moments before successfully defending 6-159 in a contest reduced to 19 overs apiece following a vicious storm which delayed the start of play by 15 minutes.

D’Arcy Short picked up from where he left BBL|07, with the reigning player of the tournament helping himself to 67 from 52 balls, with Ben McDermott (25) and George Bailey (22) providing solid cameos.

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The visitors then had to weather an early blitz from Heat young gun Max Bryant, and a late onslaught from Ben Cutting, to close out the match.

Bryant clubbed 18 runs from the second over bowled by Clive Rose _all after being involved in a horror mix-up with former Heat skipper Brendon McCullum _ and raced to 30 from 15 balls before Hobart debutant Johan Botha (2-30) removed him courtesy of a stunning catch from Riley Meredith at short fine leg, putting the brakes on a chase which saw the Heat scoot to 2-49 from five overs.

The experienced spinner had Joe Burns caught at long-on in his next over, before exciting quick Meredith (2-30) rattled the stumps of Sam Heazlett for a duck as the Heat lost 3-14 in 21 balls.

Ben Cutting of the Heat raises his bat after reaching a half century during the Big Bash League (BBL) match between the Brisbane Heat and the Hobart Hurricanes at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast. Picture: AAP IMAGE/DAVE HUNT

When James Faulkner – playing his first match for Hobart after crossing from the Melbourne Stars – had a subdued Chris Lynn (29 from 37) brilliantly caught by Alex Doolan in the 14th over the Hurricanes were well on track as the asking rate climbed above 12 an over.

However with Cutting cracking a maiden BBL half century (58 from 32 with five sixes) and continuing to send balls deep over the fence, the hosts still had a sniff needing 25 from the last two overs.

Jofra Archer (2-23) then delivered the final nail when Cutting holed out to long off as Hobart wrapped up a 15 run victory.

“It is a nice way to start, coming to a bit of an unknown ground the boys batted really well, that was the key,” Botha said.

“We know they have some power at the top, they got away from us a little bit at the top but credit to Clive, he came back nicely.

“Riley Meredith, when they were under pressure they had to come back and bowl their second and third overs and did that really well.

“I think as a unit we bowled really well. I think the pressure we built through the middle just had them that over behind.”