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Pics: Canes stars mingle with northern fans on trophy tour

A Hurricanes player has revealed how he was happy to park the ego and play a support role for devastating hitter Mitch Owen, as the title-winning players mingled with Launceston fans on Tuesday. SEE THE PICTURES HERE.

Hurricanes fan Tommy Medcraft, 11, with player Caleb Jewell at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Hurricanes fan Tommy Medcraft, 11, with player Caleb Jewell at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Caleb Jewell is used to being the cavalier, but he was more than content to play Robin to Hurricanes hero Mitch Owen’s Batman in the BBL.

Usually the man charged with being aggressive at the top of the order for Tasmania in 50-over cricket, Jewell had the best seat in the house as his opening partner went ballistic in the final against Sydney Thunder.

Speaking at the Hurricanes trophy tour stop in Launceston on Tuesday, Jewell said he was more than happy to park the ego and feed Owen (108 off 42 balls in the final) as much strike as possible.

After much consultation from team leaders, the Hurricanes opted to promote Owen to open in favour of Jewell.

Jewell returned to play the ideal role to allow Owen to dominate, and his season was highlighted by an important 76 in a win in Brisbane.

Hurricanes fans Harry and Maddie Swain enjoy making bubbles at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Hurricanes fans Harry and Maddie Swain enjoy making bubbles at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Asked if playing the anchor role was tough to adjust to, Jewell said: “I didn’t really have a choice, to be honest. It makes my job easy just to get down the other end and let him go.

“I had to feed him the strike there and I’m not really used to that. When someone is going like that, you just have to let them go.

“He’s a great mate of mine, so it’s special to share that with him.

“There was probably a stage where the whole crowd was cheering his name (when I realised what I’m witnessing). In the middle it happened so quickly and you just want to win the game as well.

“I probably didn’t take it in as much as I’d like, but we’ve been talking about it the last few days and it’s a pretty good moment.”

Jake Doran managed just two games for Hobart this season, but scored a crucial eight not out to help guide them home against the Heat.

He is adamant they can retain the trophy after claiming their maiden title, leaving the Stars as the sole team without a championship.

Hurricanes fans watch on as player Riley Meredith bats at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Hurricanes fans watch on as player Riley Meredith bats at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

“The pressure’s on the Melbourne Stars now isn’t it,” Doran said.

“Hopefully we can go back to back, we’ve got a great squad and a great list. The silverware has only built confidence in us and the list should be similar, I can’t see why not.”

He also backed Owen to adjust to being a greater focus to shut down for rivals, and hoped the Hurricanes can again play a game or two at Launceston.

The Hurricanes also held a fan day at Devonport on Monday.

Many of the players will return on a lower profile scale in Tasmania’s One Day Cup clash with NSW at UTAS Stadium on Wednesday.

“Every team is going to do their research on Mitch and how he plays, but the pleasing thing the way he went about it is it’s his natural way since he was 15 years old,” Doran said.

“The hardest thing of course is backing it up next year, but I have every confidence he can doit. He’s a top class player.

“Hopefully in the coming years he Hurricanes can play up here (state’s north) again. Definitely the support over the last two days have been great.

“Hopefully we can have a game or two for the Hurricanes and tomorrow’s (Tigers) game will be exciting.”

Launceston all-rounder Aidan O’Connor, part of Australia’s under-10 World Cup-winning team, is a strong chance to make his senior domestic cricket debut after he was included in the Tigers’ squad.

Hurricanes fans watch on as player Riley Meredith bats at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Hurricanes fans watch on as player Riley Meredith bats at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Hurricanes fans play cricket with the players at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Hurricanes fans play cricket with the players at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
The Hurricanes mascot plays cricket with the fans at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
The Hurricanes mascot plays cricket with the fans at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Hurricanes fans play cricket with the players at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Hurricanes fans play cricket with the players at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Hurricanes fans Harriet Hendley, six, and Violet Hendley, nine, with the BBL trophy at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Hurricanes fans Harriet Hendley, six, and Violet Hendley, nine, with the BBL trophy at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Hurricanes fan Kruize Moy with player Riley Meredith at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Hurricanes fan Kruize Moy with player Riley Meredith at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Hurricanes players sign autographs at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Hurricanes players sign autographs at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Hurricanes players sign autographs at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Hurricanes players sign autographs at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Hurricanes fans Toby and Louie Matthews at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Hurricanes fans Toby and Louie Matthews at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Fans watch on as Hurricanes player Charlie Wakim bats at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Fans watch on as Hurricanes player Charlie Wakim bats at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Hurricanes fans pose for a picture with player Riley Meredith at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Hurricanes fans pose for a picture with player Riley Meredith at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Hurricanes fans Eva Jones, six and Izabella Peet, 12, at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Hurricanes fans Eva Jones, six and Izabella Peet, 12, at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Hurricanes player Billy Stanlake with fan Addison Reeves, 11, at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Hurricanes player Billy Stanlake with fan Addison Reeves, 11, at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Caleb Jewell signs an autograph for a Hurricanes fan at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth
Caleb Jewell signs an autograph for a Hurricanes fan at Tuesday's fan day in Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/sport/pics-canes-stars-mingle-with-northern-fans-on-trophy-tour/news-story/25b750bfe7dcb853f5198258f7985410