Team: Hobart Hurricanes
City: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Ground: Blundstone Arena
Number of Titles: 0
Who Are the Hobart Hurricanes?
The Hobart Hurricanes T20 franchise team based in Tasmania Australian that compete in the BBL. The franchise was formed in 2011 at the inception of the BBL. The Hurricanes (also known as “the Canes”) traditionally play in a purple kit and play the majority of their matches at the Blundstone Arena which has a capacity of 19,500 but also play some of their home matches at the University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston. The franchise is currently coached by Adam Griffith and is captained by current Australian limited overs wicketkeeper Matthew Wade.
Hobart are considered to be the smallest franchise in the BBL. This is due to a combination of factors, including Tasmania’s small population, it has the smallest stadium, and also possibly due to its bare trophy cabinet having never won the BBL.
However, what Hobart lack in size, they gain from some of their international stars. Arguably their greatest overseas players and probably one the greatest ever in the BBL is Jofra Archer. Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkarra has also donned the purple jersey of Hobart, playing in BBL 05 and 06. In the past the Hurricanes have also had plenty of other Englishmen like Stuart Broad, Dawid Malan, Alex Hales, and Tymal Mills.
The BBL History of Hobart Hurricanes
The Hurricanes made a strong start to the BBL in its first edition finishing the group stages in 2nd place but were unfortunately knocked out in the semi-final by the Sydney Sixers. Then again in BBL03, they went one better making the final. However, they were outclassed by a strong Perth Scorchers side losing by 39 runs. Three lean seasons followed for Hobart as they failed to make it beyond the group stages in each year.
But, since then Hobart have been ferociously consistent making it past the group stages in 4 out of the previously 5 years, punching well above their weight. It started in BBL07 when, once again they made, the final like they had done 3 seasons prior. But, yet again, the Hurricanes were the bride’s maids being soundly beaten by the Adelaide Strikers by 25 runs.
The following year, in BBL08, Hobart had their most successful ever year in the group stages finishing first with 10 wins and 4 losses. On this occasion they failed to make it to the final, losing to the Melbourne Star in the semi-final. They again made it past the group stages in BBL09 and BBL11 but were knocked out on both occasions in “the eliminator” and they are still chasing an elusive BBL trophy.
Who Holds the Hobart Hurricanes Records?
The batting has always been a strong suit for the Hurricanes. It is epitomized by their two most prominent run scorers D’acry Short (2,553 runs from 72 inning) and Ben McDermott (2,100 runs from 67 innings). Between them they have an astonishing 5 centuries, but the highest score in an innings for Hobart is held by Matthew Wade who hit a monstrous 130 not out of 61 balls against the Adelaide Strikers in the 2019-20 season.
The bowling stocks of the Hobart Hurricanes is very bright. Even now two young Australian fast bowlers sit at the top of the list for the most wickets taken for the franchise, that being Riley Meredith (59 wickets in 45 matches) and Nathan Ellis (44 wickets in 39 matches). Whilst best bowling figures in an innings goes to veteran Australian all-rounder Dan Christian who took 5 wickets for 14 runs against the Adelaide Strikers in the 2016-17 season.
