Hobart Hurricanes opener Mitch Owen on how opener ‘experiment’ resulted in maiden BBL century

What was dubbed an ‘experiment’ to move Mitch Owen to the top of the order for the Hurricanes has already proven successful after a maiden century. The 23-year-old reveals why he jumped at the chance.

While it was a maiden BBL century that came with a sense of relief, Hobart Hurricanes opener Mitch Owen admits the switch from the middle-order didn’t come without trepidation.

The 23 year-old hometown boy batted himself into BBL history, becoming just the fourth Hobart Hurricanes player to score a century following his 101-run matchwinning stand against Perth Scorchers at Ninja Stadium on Saturday.

Mitch Owen and Ben McDermott celebrate the win. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Only Ben McDermott, Matthew Wade and D’Arcy Short have also raised the bat for triple figures in purple.

A player long believed to possess all the makings of the Apple Isle’s next big thing, Owen has had to contend with a stacked Hurricanes top-order for much of his time in purple.

But after a career-best start to the domestic season for Tasmania, which included a shift to one-day opener alongside Caleb Jewell, Owen’s maiden T20 century proved to the rest of the country what many locals already knew.

And while he was confident all he needed was an opportunity to prove himself, even Owen admits being trusted to open the batting ahead of game one came with a sense of the unknown.

“It was a bit of a relief more than anything,” Owen said.

“I feel like me opening the batting was a little bit of a, maybe not a guess, but a bit of an experiment. So, I’m glad that I could pull something off like that.

Mitch Owen of the Hurricanes celebrates his century. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

“We’ve always sort of spoken about my role in the team long-term wouldn’t be at seven or eight and it’s more been about finding a position I can play in the team around that world-class talent we have.

“So, when an opportunity came at the top I put my hand up straight away. Early days, I almost felt a little bit guilty, knowing that there’s those international class players that aren’t getting that crack at the top of the order.

“I had a bit of experience after opening a few one-day games for Tassie and I’m just glad to repay the faith the coaches have shown faith in me but I know I have to continue to play well.”

While no stranger to batting higher up the order for grade club New Town, Owen added that he had to remind himself why he was trusted with the role this summer for Hobart.

Mitch Owen poses for a photo with his family. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

“I probably got myself in trouble by thinking it was a big switch and thinking that I have to change my game,” he said.

“But I think after a bit of experience at both roles, I’ve stripped it back to just keeping it simple and getting myself in good positions.

“I’m sort of kicking myself now for the few opportunities that I’ve had in the previous years for not realising that. But I guess it is all learning and experience.”

Now sitting at 1-1 to start the tournament, Owen and the Hurricanes will next face Adelaide on December 27 and while he’s hopeful he can produce another big score away from home, it’s his coming-of-age innings on home soil in front of friends and family that will always be one to remember.