Only way is up for Hobart Hurricanes after claiming wooden spoon

WOMEN'S BIG BASH LEAGUE PREVIEW - HOBART HURRICANES: Hobart will look to new signings Chloe Tryon and Nicola Carey plus Heather Knight to improve upon a last-place finish

Coach: Salliann Briggs

Captain: Corinne Hall

Overseas players: Fran Wilson, Heather Knight (both England), Chloe Tryon (South Africa)

Australia national team players: Nicola Carey

Last season: Eighth

How did they do last season? Finished last after only winning two of their fourteen matches, including a 100% losing record at their Blundstone Arena stadium.

Key players

Heather Knight: The England captain made the most runs for the side (374 at 34) and the second-most wickets (14 at 24.35). Will probably have to contribute similar numbers again if Hobart are to improve.

Chloe Tryon: A new signing this campaign, Tryon became the first and only female cricketer to take a wicket with her very first ball in IT20s. Made more than 50 T20 and ODI appearances for South Africa despite being only 25 and will need to hit the ground running. 

Nicola Carey: With poor returns from allrounders Hayley Matthews and skipper Corinne Hall (neither took more than five wickets or averaged more than 25) last year, new signing Carey must step up. The 25-year-old, currently contracted by Cricket Australia, almost led the Thunder to a stunning semi-final victory last season and can offer quick runs down the order.

^{Heather Knight will be key for Hobart Hurricanes}

Strengths

Away from Hobart they weren’t far off competitive, winning their only two games and coming close in three of the games they lost on their travels (two Super Overs and one loss by three runs). Also made two of the highest totals last season, 196 and 189 against Melbourne Stars and Adelaide Strikers respectively.

Weaknesses

Seven losses from seven at home, five of which by five wickets or more, spell trouble whatever players you have. A very thin squad didn’t help either.

England involvement

Batters Knight and 42-cap Fran Wilson are both on central contracts for their country and both played in the 2019 Women’s Ashes. Early runs from the pair will be key to the team’s success.

The duo teamed up at Western Storm to devastating effect in the Kia Super League, while Briggs - one of the brightest coaches in English cricket - is preparing to lead Trent Rockets in The Hundred.

Squad: Nicola Carey, Stefanie Daffara, Erin Fazackerley, Katelyn Fryett, Maisy Gibson, Corinne Hall, Brooke Hepburn, Heather Knight, Emma Manix-Geeves, Hayley Matthews, Sasha Moloney, Meg Phillips, Emily Smith, Chloe Tryon, Belinda Vakarewa, Tayla Vlaeminck, Fran Wilson

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