SAFETY-FIRST BACKED: AUSSIES TO STICK WITH PLAN AGAINST PAKISTAN

THE Hobart Hurricanes are preparing a pace onslaught for this year’s WBBL campaign after signing another emerging quick.

Following the announcement last week the side had secured highly touted Tayla Vlaeminck — who is part of Australia’s Ashes squad — the Hurricanes have added more speed to the ranks with the addition of Belinda Vakarewa.

Vakarewa, who joined another Ashes-bound highprofile signing in Nicola Carey on the Tasmanian WNCL contract list for the upcoming summer, also decided to switch Twenty20 alliances from the Sydney Thunder.

The 22-year-old, who was part of the Thunder’s squad that won the inaugural women’s Big Bash, made her ODI debut two years ago during the 50-over World Cup in England.

It remains her only national appearance to date but for Tasmania’s newest face in both forms of the game her sole focus is lifting the Hurricanes back up the WBBL ladder and keeping the momentum from the WNCL season rolling.

“I just want to try and get through this season with the Hurricanes and the Tassie Tigers. The goal will be play as best we can as a team and hopefully there are some good individual performances to get us there, but first goal is getting through the season,” Vakarewa said.

“I’m just trying to have a good season before I think of anything too far ahead.”

The WBBL05 fixture will be officially released today, with the fifth edition of the tournament to be completely stand-alone from the men for the first time as well as starting in October — nearly two months before the BBL begins.

The Hurricanes will again take matches to West Park on the North-West Coast, while Launceston’s Invermay Park will play host to its first T20 domestic match.

Vakarewa, who has Fijian heritage through her dad, said while the addition of several big names helped make the decision to move from NSW easier, a family connection also helped.

“I have heard good things about the program and the girls have a good culture in the group,” she said.

“With some big names coming, even with a few of the girls who have been in the team a while and the internationals now, they definitely have good leaders on and off the field.

“Also my mum lives down here, so it was as easy decision from that point of view.”