BBL 2019-20 team preview, squad, predictions: Hobart Hurricanes

Hobart Hurricanes had topped the league stage of last season’s BBL, that too with a clear 4-point lead. Unfortunately, they crashed out of the tournament following a 6-wicket defeat against Melbourne Stars in the semi-final.

This was the fourth time the Hurricanes had made it to the top four. Unfortunately, they have made it to the final only twice, in 2013-14 and 2017-18, losing on both occasions.

George Bailey, now an Australian selector, would like to exit from competitive cricket on a high; old-timers like David Miller, Matthew Wade, and James Faulkner will provide much-needed experience; and hard hitters like D’Arcy Short and Ben McDermott will have major roles to play.

Hobart is renowned for big hitting; the fact that they have scored three of the five highest scores (including the highest, 223/8 against Melbourne Renegades in 2016-17) in BBL history bears testimony to that. They have also pulled off the four highest run-chases (including that 223/8).

Short’s 122 in 2017-18 remains the highest score in BBL history, while McDermott’s 114 stands at fourth place. Shaw’s 572 runs in the same season also remains a record.

The bowling, on the other hand, is somewhat thin, but the Hurricanes have often opted for inexperienced bowlers – who went on to emerge as stars. The biggest example of this is Jofra Archer, who have always acknowledged the role of BBL in his career.

Along with Miller, teenage Afghan leg-spinner Qais Ahmed will also be joining Hurricanes as overseas cricketer.

Key players

George Bailey: This will be Bailey’s last season as a professional cricketer, and he will want to make the most of it. Known for innovations – including taking guard with his face towards point – Bailey has scored 1,386 runs for Hurricanes at 136.

D’Arcy Short: It took Short only four seasons to become the leading run-scorer for Hurricanes. He strikes at 147, and will have to assume his usual role at the top, that of decimating bowlers in the Powerplay overs.

Riley Meredith: These are still early days, but Meredith has impressed the likes of Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson with raw pace and awkward bounce. This may well be the season when he does justice to his immense potential.

Hobart Hurricanes squad

Domestic players: Matthew Wade (c), George Bailey, Jake Doran, James Faulkner, Jarrod Freeman, Caleb Jewell, Ben McDermott, Simon Milenko, David Moody, Tom Rogers, D’Arcy Short, Aaron Summers, Nathan Ellis, Riley Meredith, Clive Rose.

Overseas players: David Miller, Qais Ahmed.

Coach: Adam Griffith.

Prediction

A top four spot.