‘CANES IMPORTS ARRIVING

THE first of the Hurricanes’ international imports arrives today but not in time for their first hit-out against New Zealand team the Auckland Aces in Hobart.

Afghanistan leg-spinner Qais Ahmad joins the squad tonight while powerful South African batsman David Miller will join the squad after his commitments finish with the Durban Heat in the Mzansi Super League.

The rest of the squad will make the transition from red ball cricket and put away the “leaves and length” balls, and swapping them with ramps and yorkers, as they convert from the longest form of the game to the shortest.

Out of the Hurricanes’ 18man squad, 11 are on the Tasmanian list, with five of them playing in the Tigers’ last Sheffield Shield game that finished on Tuesday.

D’Arcy Short, Scott Boland and David Moody have also all featured in the Sheffield Shield this season for their respective states.

Today’s games against the Aces aren’t the only match practice the Hurricanes will get, with most players featuring in two games in the CTPL this weekend, something

Hobart’s coach Adam Griffith said will be crucial for his players.

“Moving from one format to the other is why these four upcoming Twenty20 games are so important,” Griffith said. “They can work on their games and get themselves into the right mindset.

“It is something that is quite good about our group, we adapt to the format adjustment well.” Those already in the state had a light training session yesterday with interstate players flying in last night. Griffith has no concerns about the group jelling before the first game in Alice Springs against the Sixers next Friday. “Most of the group have been with us for a while,” Griffith said.

“Those who haven’t like [David] Miller and Scotty [Boland] will fit in easily, our group are pretty inclusive.”