Doolan hits his way to early form

IF the Hurricanes’ batsmen are using their stint in the Northern Territory’s Strike League as an audition for the BBL, two would be well and truly short-listed following the opening weekend.

Alex Doolan and Caleb Jewell starred in the side’s double-header on Sunday, firstly combining for an unbeaten 153 to chase down the Northern Tide’s 5-148 in the morning for a 10-wicket win, before chalking up another 100-run unconquered stand batting at No.4 and No.5 respectively in the afternoon against Southern Storm.

Doolan, who played the first six games in BBL08 before being dropped, was in sublime touch in cracking 87 from 47 balls and 50 from 36 at Marrara Oval, making an early claim for any vacancies that may arise when this year’s Big Bash rolls around.

“I think everyone takes it pretty seriously now, there is plenty of opportunities out there,” he said.

“We are a good chance to not have Matthew Wade for a while so there are spots there.

“Cricket is so professional that guys come up here and they want to grab every opportunity they can to put their name up for selection and head into the season on a good note.

“Sometimes you can come to these things and miss out and it feels like a bit of a waste so to come up and perform well in the first couple of games, it certainly sets the tour off on the right note. But also too from the team’s perspective to win and win well was exactly what we wanted.”

Jewell, who featured in the last eight games, produced a 43-ball 60 and 47 from 31 to also kick-start his 2019-20 campaign on the right note.

The Hurricanes face the Desert Blaze in their third game of the tournament today.