Everything you need to get up to speed with how the Hobart Hurricanes are shaping up ahead of the first standalone season of the Rebel WBBL
WBBL|05 Fan’s guide: Hobart Hurricanes
Hobart Hurricanes fans; if you haven’t been paying attention to the off-season moves, you have a bit of catching up to do.
Coach Salliann Briggs seemingly has left no stone unturned as she looks to improve on a disappointing WBBL|04 campaign, which saw the Hurricanes finish bottom of the table.
They’ve picked up two current Australian representatives in allrounder Nicola Carey and fiery quick Tayla Vlaeminck, with Carey one of three players lured across from the Thunder alongside pace bowler Belinda Vakarewa and spinner Maisy Gibson.
India superstar Smriti Mandhana will not return to the Big Bash this summer, with India touring the Caribbean through November, but Hobart have picked up a very handy replacement in England’s Fran Wilson, while South African allrounder Chloe Tryon is set to play her first season in the WBBL.
The loss of Georgia Redmayne to the Scorchers is a blow, but the Hurricanes have signed Emily Smith to take the gloves this season.
Image Id: F8EE7CFFC88F4868BA415830053D7C12 Image Caption: Nicola Carey is a freshly minted Hurricane // GettyWBBL|04 result: Eighth
Squad: Nicola Carey (Aus), Stefanie Daffara, Erin Fazackerley, Katelyn Fryett, Maisy Gibson, Corinna Hall, Brooke Hepburn, Heather Knight (Eng), Hayley Matthews (WI, replacement), Sasha Moloney, Meg Phillips, Emily Smith, Chloe Tryon (SA), Belinda Vakarewa, Tayla Vlaeminck, Fran Wilson (Eng)
In: Nicola Carey (Thunder), Maisy Gibson (Thunder), Belinda Vakarewa (Thunder), Tayla Vlaeminck (Renegades), Fran Wilson (Eng), Chloe Tryon (SA), Emily Smith
Out: Veronica Pyke (retired), Georgia Redmayne (Scorchers), Mikayla Hinkley (Heat), Ashley Day, Rhiann O’Donnell, Emma Thompson
The word from Australia great and Fox Cricket commentator Mel Jones:
It's all about getting these new players to gel as quickly as possible on the field. So if Salliann Briggs can do that, hat's off to her because that's a hard, hard task, but if she can do that and keep them consistent on the field, it'll be exciting times for the Hurricanes."
One to watch: Tayla Vlaeminck.
The pressure is on: Heather Knight. She's the best batter in the Hurricanes side and also one of the most experienced, so Hobart will be looking to the English captain to lead the way this summer. She isn't the skipper - that honour belongs to Corinne Hall - but her leadership will still play a crucial role in bringing this new look Hobart outfit together.
Possible starting XI: Heather Knight, Erin Fazackerley, Chloe Tryon, Fran Wilson, Nicola Carey, Corinne Hall (c), Sasha Moloney, Maisy Gibson, Brooke Hepburn, Belinda Vakarewa, Tayla Vlaeminck
Fixtures
Check out the full WBBL|05 fixture here
October 19 v Stars, Junction Oval (2pm)
October 19 v Stars, Junction Oval (2pm)
October 26 v Strikers, AB Field (9.40am)
October 27 v Heat, AB Field (1.10pm)
November 2 v Thunder, West Park, Burnie (2pm)
November 3 v Thunder, West Park, Burnie (11am)
November 9 v Renegades, Junction Oval (1pm)
November 10 v Renegades, Junction Oval (1pm)
November 13 v Sixers, Invermay Park, Launceston (11am)
November 20 v Sixers, North Sydney Oval (5.30pm)
November 22 v Heat, Blundstone Arena (7.10pm)
November 23 v Strikers, Blundstone Arena (7.10pm)
November 30 v Scorchers, Lilac Hill, Perth (2pm)
December 1 v Scorchers, Lilac Hill, Perth (2pm)
All times local
Image Id: 75B03B42F5394083A480D4A8E5C87E9A