Shai holds out Hope as Canes look to bounce back

The Hurricanes won’t take any risks with Matthew Wade’s calf injury as they look to bounce back from Thursday’s huge defeat to the Renegades against Perth on Saturday.

Hobart Hurricane Tim David and Perth Scorcher Nick Hobson ahead of Saturday’s BBL game in Hobart. Picture: Linda Higginson.

Hurricanes coach Jeff Vaughan says they won’t take any risks with veteran Matthew Wade for Saturday’s first home clash after he injured his calf in Thursday’s crushing loss to the Renegades.

Wade injured himself in the field after Hobart was skittled for just 74 in the season-opener on a challenging Geelong deck, their lowest-ever total and the equal ninth-worst in BBL history.

The Hurricanes will be desperate to prove the six-wicket loss was an aberration when they host Perth Scorchers at Hobart on Saturday afternoon.

“He (Wade) will get a scan this afternoon and we should know more in the next couple of hours,” Vaughan said early Friday afternoon.

“At the moment he’s in the mix to play tomorrow. We’re pretty confident it’s not too bad, not too serious at this stage.

“After this game we’ve got three or four days off before we pay Adelaide on the 27th. It’s not a matter of risking him or not risking him, it will be on a diagnosis basis.”

Vaughan said they would persist with experimenting with young all-rounder Mitch Owen as an opener, after he enjoyed some success in that role with Tasmania in 50 over games this year.

Owen threatened to launch early before he was dismissed for ten off seven balls, one of only three Hurricanes batters to reach double figures.

“It’s something the Tigers have done in one day cricket and he’s impacted games,” Vaughan said.

“We’re looking for him to play that role in the immediate future.

“It’s a disappointing start to the tournament, but the greatest outcome is we have a game in 24 hours time now. The boys have shifted straight into preparation for the Scorchers and excited about playing at home in our conditions.

“It’s one of ten games and we know we have some wonderfully gifted players.”

Only a rearguard 35 from skipper Nathan Ellis spared Hobart further blushes against the Renegades.

West Indian import Shai Hope showed glimpses of what he’s capable with 13 batting at number three.

He reiterated Ellis’ thoughts by insisting they couldn’t blame the pitch for the poor showing, and the healthiest reaction is to “bin it”.

“(It was) very disappointing, any time you start a season you want to start with a bang,” Hope said.

“You must have to bin this one, it’s a tough start but it’s definitely not going to get worse than this.

“It (pitch) was a bit two paced, but it wasn’t a bad one to be honest.

“In the Carribean you do get some tough ones to bat on. You don’t expect a pitch like that in Australia to be honest, but it’s just one of those things you have to adapt to and assess quickly.

“As a batting group we didn’t do that last night, but I’m sure the guys are going to turn it around next game.”

Saturday’s Hurricanes-Scorchers clash begins at 4pm.

Batter Charlie Wakim could make his Hurricanes debut after coming into the squad for Marcus Bean.