Reardon relishes reprieve

HAVING been thrown a Big Bash lifeline from the Hurricanes, Nathan Reardon is determined to repay the faith if given a chance early in the tournament.

Reardon, who played two international Twenty20 matches against South Africa in 2014-15, was cut by the Brisbane Heat and also lost his Queensland contract this summer.

The 33-year-old was resigned to life after cricket until Hobart skipper George Bailey came calling, and after joining the club’s Academy side in New Zealand last week he was added to the squad as an injury replacement for James Bazley.

He managed just 13 runs in two innings last year for Brisbane, but at his best the dynamic left-hander is a pure striker of the ball and is likely to slot into a middle order role where his ability to clear the fence will be crucial.

“I was pretty much finished with cricket and thought maybe there wasn’t an opportunity to resume my career in the Big Bash,” said Reardon, who has also had stints with Adelaide and the Melbourne Renegades.

“But I got a call from George a couple of weeks ago asking if I was available.

“I was delisted from Queensland last year and I have come to terms with that and was quite comfortable with the fact my career was over. “Now I’m playing again, I’m looking forward to that opportunity.”

Reardon spent time with the Australian Hong Kong Sixes side in October, where in six matches he scored 166 runs from just 57 balls at an average of 88 and clubbed 19 sixes.

However outside of grade cricket in Brisbane he doesn’t have a lot of match time under his belt, but does not believe it will be a hindrance.

“I come down here with a quite relaxed attitude, I am very competitive as most sportsmen are and I want to do all I can to win games for the Hurricanes.’’

The Hurricanes are also close to announcing an injury replacement for David Moody.