Big Bash League: Hobart Hurricanes dare to dream of maiden title after beating Sydney Sixers
“Slippers and cigars” and a few rounds of golf are on the cards for the Hobart Hurricanes ahead of the Big Bash League final – so imagine how they’d celebrate if they won their first title.
For the first time in the BBL’s 14-year history, the ladder-leading Hurricanes will host the grand final at their Ninja Stadium home.
It was a thrilling 12-run win over the Sydney Sixers at the same venue that launched Hobart into pole position for a shot at a maiden title.
The Hurricanes have only made the final twice since the league’s 2011 inception, losing to the Adelaide Strikers in 2014 and then to the Perth Scorchers four years later.
Perennial underachievers in almost every other year, the ‘Canes are one of only two teams to have not won silverware, alongside the Melbourne Stars.
After failing to qualify for the last two finals series, the Hurricanes looked set for another disappointing campaign after being steamrolled by the Melbourne Renegades in the season opener.
Hobart were skittled for 74 – the lowest score in their history.
But a little over a month later the Hurricanes stunned the competition by finishing first in the league on the back of an undefeated home record.
Hurricanes stalwart Nathan Ellis admits he had been denying himself the chance to dream about finals before their Sixers victory.
“I woke up this morning, obviously, with a home final on Monday,” the paceman said on Wednesday.
“It’s probably getting to that point now where it’s starting to sink in.
“It’s been a hell of a season. We’ve spent the whole time not trying to get ahead of ourselves. It’s always, you know, ‘We’re doing well, but…’.”
After so many years struggling to keep pace with their rivals, the Hurricanes are now at the top of the tree, ready to put their feet up as a knockout final on Friday determines their grand-final opponent.
“We’re going to take the next few days to down tools, feet up. Cigars and slippers, as they say,” Ellis said.
“A few of the guys are going up to (renowned Tasmanian golf course) Barnbougle today to play some golf.”
The Hurricanes have now won eight of their last nine games since their season-opening disaster.
Asked what changed for his side, Ellis admits it was a “cliche-a-thon”.
“For us, it was a real big culture push and it’s a bit of a buzz word but it’s true,” Ellis said.
“We’ve got good cricketers in our squad and I think the cricket will take care of itself but we’re really big on trying to be a consistent change room.
“Something I speak about a lot is when players get an opportunity to put their thumb print on a game, they take it with both hands.”
Ellis only hopes a potential victory at their home fortress will add to the growing hype around local sport, nurtured by forthcoming AFL franchise Tasmania Devils and reigning NBL champions Tasmania JackJumpers.
“It’s really exciting for Tasmania to hopefully get the chance to win some silverware in front of our home crowd,” Ellis said.
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