HOBART HURRICANES v MELBOURNE STARS
The Hurricanes second fixture of BBL|02 is set to be a blockbuster affair with some huge names of world cricket set to light up the MCG. After only one round, Fox commentators have said this is a potential preview for the Grand Final with both sides stacked with quality players.
The biggest drawcard will be the Ponting v Warne hook with two greats of world and Australian cricket doing battle with the match at the MCG being Ponting’s first outing the in the purple after having to withdraw from the Heat clash due to illness.
THE SQUADS
HURRICANES
George Bailey
Tim Paine
Doug Bollinger
Travis Birt
Xavier Doherty
Evan Gulbis
Michael Hogan
Jason Krejza
Ben Laughlin
Ricky Ponting
Owais Shah
Scott Styris
Jon Wells
STARS
Shane Warne
Jackson Bird
James Faulkner
Peter Handscomb
Scott Henry
Brad Hodge
Dave Hussey
Clint McKay
Lasith Malinga
Glenn Maxwell
Rob Quiney
Cameron White
Luke Wright
BIG HITTERS
Where to start....Both our side and the Stars are stacked with some of the big hitters in T20 cricket....
Travis Birt and Owais Shah last week showed they haven’t lost their touch from BBL|01 amassing a 95 run partnership off only 52 balls to give us the win against the Heat at the Gabba. Tim Paine and Jon Wells also got us off to a solid start with a steady opening partnership whilst this week sees Ricky Ponting in the side with the likes of Australian T20 Captain George Bailey and New Zealander Scott Styris waiting in the middle order for a hit.
The Stars have a potent batting line-up which includes Brad Hodge, Rob Quiney and Dave Hussey. England International Luke Wright is also a threat given he scored the fastest century in Australian T20 history last year against us to belt 117 off only 60 balls at Blundstone Arena.
SPIN KINGS
The Stars have the spin king in Captain Shane Warne whilst our own Xavier Doherty will be looking to be the spinner of the night after his economical spell last week against the Heat. Jason Krejza, who missed out last week is also in our 13-man squad, giving us the potential to play a dual spin attack.
PACE ATTACKS
Evan Gulbis was the pick of our bowlers last week claiming three wickets whilst Michael Hogan took out the Heat openers in his early spell and will be looking to get the Stars danger men early in this match. Crowd favourite Doug Bollinger will be looking for an energized performance in front of a big Melbourne crowd and Ben Laughlin will too be looking for more wickets to build on his scalp from last week.
Lasith Malinga is the danger man after claiming man of the match honours after tearing through the Scorchers line-up taking record figures of 6-7. Jackson Bird and James Faulkner will be playing against many Tasmanian Tiger teammates in this clash and will no doubt like nothing more than bragging rights against friends and will lead the Stars attack alongside Clint McKay who will be wanting redemption against Travis Birt after Birt smashed 20 runs off one Clint McKay ball (6, no ball 6, no ball 6 ) last season with this moment a YouTube hit.
CATCH THE MATCH
Make sure you support your Hobart Hurricanes in their second match of BBL|02 at the MCG and tune into Fox Sports from 6.30pm.
If you have an iPhone or iPad why not download the Cricket Australia Live App? For only $12.99 you get a season subscription so won’t miss a ball!
We will be tweeting and posting regular Facebook updates and encourage you to do the same while you watching on Fox Sports (coverage from 6.30pm). So make sure you don’t miss out on any of the action and follow us on Twitter @HurricanesBBL & like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/HobartHurricanes
For all the pre and post-match action make sure you also check out our website, loaded with articles and videos on the team.
All aboard the #canetrain………………