How Hurricanes plan to maintain ‘surge mentality’ in BBL Final

They’ve been the BBL’s most destructive team in the power play and power surge overs. And the Hurricanes hope big hitters Tim David and Mitch Owen have one more bullet in their holsters for Monday’s final.

Sydney Thunder captain David Warner and Hobart Hurricanes captain Nathan Ellis in Hobart ahead of the BBL Final with lucky fans Julian and William Cashman. Picture: Linda Higginson.

Hurricanes captain Nathan Ellis says they’ll do everything possible to put power hitters Mitch Owen and Tim David to wreak more unprecedented destruction on Sydney Thunder in Monday’s BBL Final.

The Hurricanes enter the final in Hobart as strong favourites with an unblemished home record in six games this season.

A huge reason for setting up a chance for a maiden title has been Owen and David’s ability to take advantage of the power play in the first four overs, and the two-over power surge.

They’ve been standouts in those periods, with Owen taking the chance to open the batting with both hands and David has had arguably his best season finishing the innings.

According to cricket.com.au, Hobart has scored an unprecedented 46 per cent of their runs in the six overs when just two fielders are allowed outside the circle.

“It (dominating field restriction overs) wasn’t something we spoke about specifically,” Ellis said.

“Any time you’re in the power play and the surge, you’re going to do the best you can.

“Our (pre season) conversations were all around being in the best positions to execute our skills. Mitch’s skills are pretty obvious at the top and Tim at the death.

“Our game plan is to give the best platform to execute those skills at the time, and fortunately they’ve done it a few times this season.”

Hobart Hurricanes captain Nathan Ellis with the BBL trophy in Hobart. Picture: Linda Higginson

Ellis was unsure what to expect from the pitch, which was a little slower than normal for their ‘Qualifier’ win over Sydney Sixers.

The Thunder will rely heavily on their spin trio Chris Green, Tanveer Sangha and Tom Andrews to stifle the Hurricane’s power game through the middle overs.

It has been identified as a key factor by Hurricanes head of strategy Ricky Ponting.

“We’ll assess the wicket tomorrow. It was still under the covers today and we’ll have a meeting tonight and probably name the 11 tomorrow,” Ellis said on Sunday.

“The guys in the mix all know, and are preparing to play.

“It was (a bit slow against Sixers). It’s been a drier square this year and you’ve seen the difference in the day and night games,

“(At night) it’s still holding true to the traditional games at Bellerive. I’m expecting a higher scoring game tomorrow night.”

Second year captain Ellis said the squad is doing their best to temper expectations as they look to break their duck and leave Melbourne Stars as the sole team yet to win a title.

“These are the games as a professional cricketer you want to play in. We’re definitely trying to temper expectations at the moment and treat it like it’s any other game,” he said.

“The opportunity to play a home final is really good and we’re well aware how big it is for Tasmanian cricket.

“It’d be huge to be the first ones to bring it home. We just need to have a good day and hopefully it will fall our way.”

Ellis fronted media with Thunder captain David Warner on Sunday, and described the former Test star as the “head of the snake.”

“We’ll be trying to get him early, it’s no secret he’s a big inclusion for them,” Ellis said.

“But something they’ve done really well is scrap, they’ve had a lot of people coming in and out with injury and illness. T

“We know whether we do or don’t get David out early they’ll fight and keep themselves in the game.”