Hurricanes finalise overseas contingent with Nepalese sub continent star joining squad

The Hurricanes have bolstered their bowling stocks for BBL|10 with “mystery spinner” Sandeep Lamichhane crossing from the Melbourne Stars, rounding out a five-strong overseas contingent

HURRICANES coach Adam Griffith is confident he has the variety of tools for all conditions and opposition with the side finalising its squad for this year’s Big Bash.

Nepalese spinner Sandeep Lamichhane rounds out Hobart’s five-strong overseas contingent, with the talented youngster moving south after two years with the Melbourne Stars.

A proven wicket taker in the competition — Lamichhane has 26 wickets at an average of 19.80 in his 20 BBL appearances — the 20-year-old will bring another element to the Hurricanes attack when he joins the group in January.

Sandeep Lamichhane of the Stars bowls during the Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Stars and the Perth Scorchers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on January 18, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

Alongside leg spinner Will Parker, West Indian Keemo Paul, all rounder Tim David, last season’s sensation Nathan Ellis and proven performers Scott Boland, James Faulkner and Riley Meredith, Lamichhane adds the “x-factor” as the sub continent mystery spinner.

“We have seen in this tournament, those quality, world class spinners are the ones that trouble batters,” Griffith said.

“Everyone goes at some stage, even ‘Rash’ [Rashid Khan] last year got hit a couple of times but he’s class, he’s undeniable.

“Sandeep is one of those mystery spinners who we hope can help us go deep this year.

“He won’t be the be all and end all of our attack, we are not relying on him to win us the tournament, but we are relying on him to be part of a well balanced attack.

“When we start to get to the back end of the tournament when we’re playing on wickets that are a bit older and lower and slower, Sandeep will come into the frame.

“If you can have more than the three overseas players on your books with you, you are picking for conditions and picking for match ups.”

Sandeep Lamichhane of the Stars celebrates taking the wicket of Ben McDermott of the Hurricanes during Hobart Hurricanes v Melbourne Stars Big Bash League Match at Blundstone Arena on December 24, 2018 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Like fellow Hobart new face Paul, Lamichhane was part of the Delhi Capitals IPL squad but did not play a match in the recently completed tournament.

In the preceding Carribean Premier League he finished with 12 wickets and the fourth best economy rate (5.27) of bowlers who sent down 20 or more overs.

Griffith said Hobart specifically targeted imports who did not feature in the IPL, aware they were eager to have an impact in the BBL.

“The thing about Keemo and Sandeep, which is one of the things we looked at, they hadn’t been playing in the IPL so they are really keen to play.

“They are young guys who cricket is still the biggest thing in their life at the moment and they want to prove themselves.

“Their motivation is quite high.”

HURRICANES BBL|10 SQUAD:

Scott Boland, Tim David, Jake Doran, Nathan Ellis, James Faulkner, Peter Handscomb, Ben

McDermott, Riley Meredith, David Moody, Mitchell Owen, Tim Paine, Will Parker, D’Arcy Short, Matthew Wade, Nick Winter, Mac Wright

Overseas players: Dawid Malan, Sandeep Lamichhane, Keemo Paul

Overseas replacement players: Will Jacks, Colin Ingram

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