Gibson’s spin vital for Canes

ALL the attention on Hobart’s new additions has centred on Australian stars Nicola Carey and Tayla Vlaeminck, but another recruit looks set for just as big a role for the WBBL season.

The Hurricanes open their campaign today against the Melbourne Stars looking to erase the struggles from the past two tournaments where they have finished with the wooden spoon.

Up to six new faces could be unveiled this afternoon — joining Carey and Vlaeminck as Hobart debutants will be imports Chloe Tyron and Fran Wilson — as well as possibly former Thunder seamer Belinda Vakarewa and leg-spinner Maisy Gibson.

Having spent the past four seasons in Sydney, Gibson relocated at the start of the season to join the Hurricanes and Tigers, and is likely to be asked to play a pivotal role during the middle overs after the quicks have been unleashed.

“Hopefully I can do the job for the team, it will be nice to especially with someone like Heather Knight, who is quite experienced and have someone like her lead the spin attack as well,” Gibson said. “The whole squad is here and we’ve played a few games with each other which has been good, especially with a few new members.

“It [the move] has been really good so far, it is a great group of girls to be a part of and they all get along really well and I think that shows on the field.”

Despite the high-scoring nature of Twenty20 cricket, spinners have be shown to be extremely effective in the short format and Gibson, who took 36 wickets in 39 matches for the Thunder, is always prepared for the opposition to come after her.

“You know where you are happy to get hit if they do go for the big shots. I know if I get hit back over my head for six that’s where I want to bowl, full and at the stumps,” she said.

“If I am getting pulled for six that is not ideal as it means I am bowling into the wicket and am probably a bit too short.” HURRICANES SQUAD:

Corinne Hall (capt), Nicola Carey, Stef Daffara, Erin Fazackerley, Maisy Gibson, Brooke Hepburn, Heather Knight, Sasha Moloney, Meg Phillips, Emily Smith, Chloe Tryon, Belinda Vakarewa, Tayla Vlaeminck, Fran Wilson. Today’s game against Melbourne Stars starts at 2pm.