The execution went wrong, says Kirsten

AS Gary Kirsten watched it all go bad for the Hobart Hurricanes in yesterday’s Big Bash League final against the Adelaide Strikers, one word was stuck in his head. Execution. Not only were his bowlers put to the sword by the Strikers’ big hitters, the Hurricanes coach saw his plan going pear-shaped.

His strategy worked in the semi-final against the Perth Scorchers three days earlier.

But the final was a different game, and the Canes went in with a different plan.

“It came down to execution,” Kirsten said last night.

“We knew we had to be fuller on this wicket but we got our lengths too variable.

“We were not consistent enough in our execution.

“In fairness we’ve got some young bowlers who are still learning and it takes time to get that going under pressure.”

The Hurricanes’ $1.4 million IPL man Jofra Archer got a reality check in big-time cricket.

He bowled Adelaide opener Alex Carey (18 off 16) in the fifth over, but he was smacked around for 1-46 off his four overs as the most expensive bowler on the day.

“I thought ‘Buck’ [Tom] Rogers did a great job, bowled really well,” Kirsten said.

“We just weren’t consistent enough with the ball.”

When Carey went, fellow opener Jake Weatherald was joined by Adelaide skipper Travis Head.

The pair milked 140 runs off 81 balls in a matchwinning partnership.

Weatherald smashed the highest score in a BBL final — 115 runs off 70 balls with nine fours and eight sixes.

He eclipsed the previous best of 77 shared by Mitch Marsh in BBL01 and Moises Henriques in BBL03.

When Weatherald departed in the second-last over, the Strikers were flying at 2-181.

Vice-captain Colin Ingram had no time to settle in, and he didn’t need it. The South African blasted 14 off six balls, helping the Strikers to 2-202.