Form the key to plug big hole left by Wade
THE unanswered question of who will replace Matthew Wade at the top of the Hurricanes order will be answered this weekend.
With Wade possibly missing the first half of the Big Bash due to Test duties, a replacement opener is needed to fill the role of batting with D’Arcy Short.
The first chance for those looking to fill the void came yesterday with two practice games against the Auckland Aces and the battle will continue in this weekend’s CTPL.
Hobart’s coach Adam Griffith said he was keeping a very close eye on the games and the most in-form batter will be picked.
“There are probably a couple of spots up for grabs and that is why these games are awesome,” Griffith said.
“There is a chance for someone to put their hand up and take that [opening] spot.
“It’s great for our program that guys from within are pushing for those spots and we don’t have to go and hunt for someone.
“It’s great to watch them challenge each other and it’s great to watch when they make runs and push their spot.”
Hurricanes assistant coach Jeff Vaughan acknowledged he is not a selector but he reeled off some of the names battling for the opening position.
“There are any number of guys, whether it’s Caleb Jewell, Mac Wright or Jake
Doran,” Vaughan said. “Whoever is in form and does well in the first couple of practice games and trains well over the next week will get an opportunity upfront.”
Jewell recently experienced opening against the white ball in the Marsh One Day Cup for Tasmania, and if selected will add to his seven games for the Hurricanes last season.
Doran is the most experienced of the three youngsters but is yet to standout in the shortest format of the game and will be hoping to get the opportunity to do so.
Wright will be hoping to make his Big Bash debut in a breakthrough season that has seen him impress in his two one day games for Tasmania, where he top scored in both, and make his Sheffield Shield debut.
In the Hurricanes’ two wins yesterday against the Aces, Wright could potentially have taken the upper hand in the selection stoush, scoring 38 from 42 balls opening in the second game.