Hobart Hurricanes 2016-17 Big Bash preview & bet specials

AFTER just missing out on the finals last year, Hobart Hurricanes have added some serious firepower for the 2016-17 Big Bash League T20.

Stuart Broad is one of the marquee signings of the summer, although the England quick is recovering from a foot injury sustained on tour in India.

Sri Lankan superstar Kumar Sangakarra is back again and will hope to contribute much more with the bat after a disappointing debut season in the BBL.

The Hurricanes have also added Hamish Kingston in a trade that sees Ben Dunk head to Adelaide Strikers, while Michael Hill, Joe Mennie, Darren Sammy and Tim van der Gugten have departed.

Young allrounder James Bazley, wicketkeeper Ben McDermott and Northern Territory-born batsman D’Arcy Short complete a roster that features an interesting mix of un-mined prospects and canny veterans.

Fast bowling is a strength, with Broad joining the always explosive Shaun Tait and the highly capable trio of Simon Milenko, Sam Rainbird and Jake Reed.

There is a noted lack of top-line batting support for Sangakkara and George Bailey, however, which is why online bookmaker Sportsbet.com.au has the Hurricanes dead last in the Big Bash outright betting at $11.

Yet Hobart coach Damien Wright seemed pleased with the make-up of his squad when he spoke to reporters earlier this month, singling out one of the unheralded new recruits for special praise.

“We are thrilled to add a very exciting player to our Hurricanes list in D’Arcy Short,” Wright said.

“He is an aggressive left hander who will certainly entertain our members & fans when he gets an opportunity to bat.

“He also gives us another great option with the ball with his quality left arm wrist spin. All up he is the perfect T20 player: he bats well, bowls well & is a terrific fielder.

“It’s a quality squad that gives us several different options.

“We have a lot more all-rounders than we’ve had before so we could go in several different ways depending on who the opposition is & where we play.”

BBL06 Hobart Hurricanes futures markets

All markets provided by CrownBet.com.au

Season outrights:

To reach the final – $5

To finish top four – $2.60

To have the most losses – $3.50

Top Hurricanes tournament runscorer:

Kumar Sangakkara, Tim Paine – $3.65

D’Arcy Short – $6

George Bailey, Dan Christian – $6.50

Jonathan Wells – $9

Ben McDermott, Dom Michael – $15

Beau Webster – $26

(Others quoted)

Top Hurricanes tournament wicket-taker:

Cameron Boyce – $3.50

Stuart Broad – $4

Shaun Tait – $6

Sam Rainbird, Jake Reed – $7.50

Dan Christian, Hamish Kingston, Simon Milenko – $11

Clive Rose – $14

James Bazely – $21

Players to watch

Kumar Sangakkara – The Sri Lankan legend never quite got going in Big Bash 2015-16, finishing the season with 105 runs, no half-centuries and an average of 13.12. But we all know how good this guy is – 12,400 Test runs, if you don’t mind – and he will have to step up if the Hurricanes have any designs on finals. He brings a bit of form in from the Bangladesh Premier League and could offer real value at $18 (Sportsbet) to top the BBL06 batting charts.

Stuart Broad – England’s upcoming ODI series in India might cause Broad to miss a couple of Big Bash games, but he is sure to have an impact whenever available. He strikes at 17.5 balls per wicket in T20 cricket – an excellent record in anyone’s language – and is more than handy with his lower-order hitting. International duties and Hobart’s outsider status might put markets such as top tournament bowler ($26 at CrownBet) beyond Broad’s reach, but look for him in the match betting.

Tim Paine – This could be an important year for a man once tipped as a shoo-in to become Australia’s first-choice Test keeper. While he might no longer be Tasmania’s top glovesman in Sheffield Shield cricket, the Hurricanes captain remains a key figure at the top of the order and a potential match-winner. Paine, now 32, has found some decent touch in the under-23 Futures League of late and should factor as a candidate for top Big Bash runscorer ($23 at CrownBet) or top three in the overall batting ranks ($6.50).

D’Arcy Short – This guy could be the X-factor that takes Hobart from wooden spoon favourites to potential finalists. Born in the Northern Territory and now plying his trade in WA, the 25-year-old is an all-round dynamo who makes quick runs, takes handy wickets and does some special stuff in the field. As coach Wright said, the Hurricanes were delighted to get him. Short is a $51 roughy at CrownBet to top the Big Bash batting tables, but he’s definitely one to watch and could provide great value in the match markets early on.

Hobart Hurricanes squad for BBL 2016-17

* denotes international player on Visa contract

Batsmen:

George Bailey

Dominic Michael

Kumar Sangakkara*

Jonathan Wells

Wicketkeepers:

Ben McDermott

Tim Paine

Allrounders:

James Bazley

Dan Christian

Simon Milenko

D’Arcy Short

Beau Webster

Seam bowlers:

Stuart Broad*

Hamish Kingston

Sam Rainbird

Jake Reed

Shaun Tait

Spin bowlers:

Cameron Boyce

Clive Rose

T20 Big Bash League fixture list

Sydney Sixers at the SCG – December 23, 2016

Melbourne Stars at Blundstone Arena – December 26, 2016

Brisbane Heat at the Gabba – December 30, 2016

Adelaide Strikers at Blundstone Arena – January 2, 2017

Adelaide Strikers at Adelaide Oval – January 6, 2017

Sydney Thunder at Blundstone Arena – January 8, 2017

Melbourne Renegades at Etihad Stadium – January 12, 2017

Perth Scorchers at Blundstone Arena – January 21, 2017

[interaction id=”5852590e8780aab73878a970″]