Wayne’s Preview – Strikers v Hurricanes

Posted on February 3, 2018June 7, 2018 | Posted by Wayne Clark

Sunday February 4, 2018

We saw differing semi-finals to finalise our two combatants for Sundays Grand Final.  The Hurricanes blitzed the hot favourites the Scorchers on Thursday night and will now take massive confidence and belief into the decider.  In contrast, it was a last ball thriller for the Strikers, winning after looking gone in the last over.  Their higher ranking gives them the home final but, with the potential loss of key players, looking a little shakey.

The Hurricanes who scraped into the finals after three losses, could not have been any more impressive.  A previously quiet Matthew Wade, played a superb innings to set the tone for the night (71runs off 45).  Then McDermott, a player with the x-factor, topped it off with an explosive finish (67 off 30).  Add Christian’s form, expect improved contributions from Bailey and Paine, and suddenly the Hurricanes top order, even without D’Arcy Short looks ominous.

The Strikers top order batting has had a heavy reliance on Carey (425runs), Head (330), Weatherald (268) and Ingram (263) but with Carey and, dependant on CA releasing him, Travis Head out, it leaves a massive hole.  With Wells and Lehmann struggling, it is concerning for the Strikers.  These two, plus a Jonno Dean (51runs from 4 innings) need to really lift.

When looking at both teams bowling attacks again the balance has swayed in the Hurricanes favour.  Rashid Khan is a huge loss and if Head is not released the spinning options for the Strikers is limited.  Maybe WA boy, Liam O’Connor could get his first game for the season, what pressure!  It will put a lot of reliance on Laughlin (16wks), Neser (13) and Siddle (8) to take early wickets and expose the Hurricanes middle order.

The Hurricanes showed courage in the semi, leaving out their overseas player, Tymal Mills and Cameron Boyce.  Both replacements in Rogers (3/31) and Meredith (1/29) did well but I can certainly see the leg spinner Boyce coming back into the line-up and playing a very important role on the Adelaide pitch.  Archer (15wks) has been a revelation, Christian (10) is playing like a man possessed and Rose (8) has played a key role.

The momentum is all with the Hurricanes and I can see it being a tough task with the loss of key players for the Strikers.  But T20 produces the surprises and one performance can turn a game; lets home it’s a fitting finale for what’s again been a great tournament.

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