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Follow the first match of tonight’s Big Bash double-header from 4.00pm AEDT on January 18 with live comments from the game between the Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Renegades at Blundstone Arena.
The two teams head into the final-round clash in different directions; the Hurricanes are assured a top-four spot and can seal a home final with a win, while the Renegades are propping up the table after stacking their side with underperforming T20 ‘specialists’.
A hotch-potch of players who migrated south for first-class opportunities and shrewd imports (batsman Jonathan Wells is the only squad member born in Hobart), the Hurricanes have relied on successful smash-and-bash efforts from Travis Birt and Owais Shah, then strangling the chase of their opponents with tight spin before honorary Tasweigan Naved Ul-Hasan delivers the killer blow.
Birt, Shah and Naved have been outstanding imports. Birt is the comps top run-scorer with 309 at a strike-rate of 177.58, so the ‘Canes have been playing from in front more often than not. Shah is no slouch, averaging 77.66 at a rate of a tick under 150, while Naved is brilliant at closing out the earlier work of Xavier Doherty and Jason Krejza.
The Retirees, sorry, Renegades have had a forgettable first season. Living in the shadow of Shane, Liz and the Stars, they recruited a band of wandering T20 gypsies past their best. The injury to Brad Hodge in a trial was a major blow, but he and fellow internationals Razzaq, Harwood, Manou, Nannes, Afridi and Tait have been more miss than hit, combining particularly poorly as a sluggish fielding unit.
23 year-old all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is the Renegade to watch. He announced himself with 61 off 27 balls in a Ryobi Cup match last season. He’s overdue here and will be looking for runs to keep himself in the frame for Bushrangers selection.
What do you think? What’s the secret to the Hurricanes success? Have the Renegades underperformed? I look forward to your comments on these topics as well as the match starting at 4pm this afternoon.
Throw your comments in for these questions and follow the game live here from 7pm.
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