Big Bash 2016/17 - Hobart Hurricanes and Brisbane Heat Season Preview and Prediction

HOBART HURRICANES
 
2015/16 finish - 7th (3 wins 5 losses) 
 
Overall Win/Loss- 18 wins, 18 losses, 50% Win ratio
 
Titles - 0
 
History - The Hobart Hurricanes enter their sixth season coming off back-to-back seasons outside the finals. In both of the last two seasons, the Hurricanes managed just three victories from eight games to miss the Top 8 and be among the also rans of the competition. The Hurricanes have made the finals in just two of their five seasons, including their inaugural season in 2011/12 where they were defeated in the semi-finals. Their best season, however, was 2013/14 where they snuck into the Semis with 4 wins and 4 losses before defeating the Melbourne Stars in the Semi Final. Hobart have never won a Big Bash League, having been defeated by Perth Scorchers in the 2013/14 final. 
 
Squad - Cameron Boyce, George Bailey, Dan Christian, Clive Rose, Jake Reed, Sam Rainbird, Hamish Kingston, Simon Milenko, Tim Paine, Shaun Tait, Beau Webster, Jonathan Wells, Dominic Michael, Kumar Sangakkara, Stuart Broad
 
Imports - Kumar Sangakkara and Stuart Broad. Hobart will be relying on one of the old stagers in Kumar Sangakkara once again as he backs up for another season in Hurricanes colours. Sangakkara averages over 30 in T20 cricket at a respectable strike rate of 119. Whether he is the type of player that can lift them to title at this point in his career I have my doubts, but he will provide some veteran leadership. Stuart Broad is an interesting signing for the Hurricanes if he could be available for the whole tournament. Broad has been dropped from both England white ball teams and could provide some thrust opening the bowling. Broad has 92 wickets from 77 T20 games, going at around 7 runs per over. 
 
Verdict - The Hurricanes look short on quality to me heading into this series. George Bailey looks their best batsman and he is likely to miss some of the tournament through Australian duty. I just don't see explosiveness in their line up with Tim Paine, Dan Christian and the like fading forces in my opinion. Broad and Tait might prove a very handy and aggressive strike bowling pair, however can they stay fit and healthy? . Hobart are always a well disciplined team and I expect them to play most games close, however they lack the star power to make a sustained challenge. I just don't think Hobart have the depth with the ball or the bat to make the finals. I think this team is a massive chance of getting the wooden spoon. 3 wins would be pushing it for mine.  

THE LURKER SAYS - LAST  "These blokes will be getting a big, fat Wooden Spoon as a Christmas Gift. Look a bit like the Newcastle Knights of the Big Bash. Can't see how much good at all in this Canes squad. Experienced players are not top notch T20 specialists like other squads have. Have zero depth. They Stink" 
 
BRISBANE HEAT
 
2015/16 Finish - 6th - 3 wins 5 losses
 
Franchise Win/Loss Ratio - 14 wins, 23 losses, 37% win Ratio. 
 
Titles - 1 (2012/13) 
 
History - The Brisbane Heat are coming off a couple of poor seasons as they look to become a finals team once more in 2016/17. Last season they finished with a late rush to finish in 6th place with three victories and five losses. In 2014/15 the franchise finished in dead last place, meaning they have won just 3 of their last 16 matches. The Heat have only made the finals in one of their opening five seasons, in 2012/13. In that season they snuck into the finals in 4th spot before beating the Melbourne Renegades in the Semi Final on the road and beating the Scorchers at the WACA in the final by 34 runs. 
 
Squad - Brendon McCullum (c), Samuel Badree, Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Alex Doolan, Andrew Fekete, Luke Feldman, Jason Floros, Sam Heazlett, Marcus Labuschagne, Josh Lalor, Chris Lynn, James Peirson, Nathan Reardon, Alex Ross, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, Jack Wildermuth
 
Imports - Brendon McCullum and Samuel Badree. The Brisbane side get an injection of class with former New Zealand captain and explosive opening batman Brendon McCullum coming on board as captain. McCullum has signed a 2-year deal having previous played briefly for the Heat in 2011/12. McCullum has a simply outstanding T20 record averaging over 31 from 250 matches at a strike rate of 137. Samuel Badree is one of the most under the radar outstanding T20 bowlers in the world. The West Indian leg spinner is one of the most reliable opening bowlers, sliding the ball in and relying on unnerving accuracy. Remarkably, through 146 T20 matches, he has an economy rate of under 6 runs per over which is pure gold in this format. 
 
Verdict- The Heat look on paper to be a formidable side this season with the bat. The power hitting of McCullum will be matched with outstanding short form players in Joe Burns and Chris Lynn. Having those 3 players to call upon for the whole Big Bash will be a crucial advantage for this side.  With Ben Cutting lurking in the middle order and Nathan Reardon, this side has the potential to score serious runs. Worried about their no-name pace attack, however Badree will provide great value again with the ball. I think this side should make the finals on paper however they have a history of under performing. real acid test year for Head Coach Dan Vettori and his men,missing the finals won't be acceptable. 

THE LURKER SAYS - 3rd "Usually I only like Brisbane for a Stradbroke Circuit but the Heat look decent this year. Like the squad they have pulled together. Full of power with the stick and wicket takers with the rock. Also have good depth across the board with plenty of their younger players representing QLD in the Shield or the Matador Cup where the Bulls have started strongly. Finals bound"