Ellis credits team effort as Hurricanes chase BBL 14 title

Nathan Ellis says the Hobart Hurricanes making the BBL|14 final has been a team effort as his side prepares to face the Sydney Thunder for the title on Monday evening.

Few expected Hobart to play in the championship match this season after they were bundled out for 74 runs in their opening clash against the Melbourne Renegades.

Yet the Hurricanes bounced back in emphatic fashion, defying T20 betting sites to finish top of the table with seven wins from their next eight completed matches.

“It’s probably changed a little bit now, but throughout the tournament, you never saw Hurricanes players leading the wickets or leading the runs, but you saw us at the top of the ladder,” captain Ellis said.

“That was something that I was really proud of, something I was really staunch on.

“The fact that every win we had, it felt like 11 blokes had their thumbprint on it.

“We’ve got some pretty imposing figures, but the biggest thing is the fact that Mitch Owen doesn’t go out feeling like we’re relying on him for runs.

“Tim David doesn’t go out feeling like we’re relying on him for runs.

“I think we’ve got a group that has such good experiences, such good players to adapt to situations.

“Guys like Caleb [Jewell], Nikhil [Chaudhary], they sort of go unnoticed but have been brilliant.”

Captain Ellis explained that putting their opening disappointment behind them was key to their strong season, reflecting on how the result was processed.
“Boys, it’s the first game of a tournament,” he said.

“The conditions probably didn’t suit us tonight.

“Let’s leave this here.”

Against the Thunder on Monday, the Hurricanes have the edge at cricket bookmakers, paying just $1.65 to win at Bet365, compared to Sydney’s $2.25.

Ellis is confident that his side have what it takes to leave Bellerive Oval with the BBL trophy and knows what it would mean for Tasmanian cricket.

“We’ve got a fair few guys who have played together a lot,” he said.

“We enjoy each other’s company and I think you can see that on the field.

“I think it’s a really healthy environment.

“I know how big this game is for Tasmanian cricket.

“Hopefully we can be the first ones to bring home the silverware.”

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