Hobart Hurricanes, who open against Kings XI Punjab at Mohali on Thursday, are banking on their IPl players to do well in the Champions league T20.
“It is our first time here as a club and as a team, to be on the world stage and championship like this is wonderful for everybody,” Hurricanes coach Damien Wright said.
“The supporters back home in Tasmania are going to be tuning in and watching us against some of the best players in the world,” he said.
He said that “we have also got some very good experienced players who have been in the IPl and played international cricket. It’s always nice to come to big tournaments and big competitions with experienced players. We have got lot of guys who played the IPl, played for Australia. We have got some guys who are about to play for Australia...”
Wright felt that tournaments such as the ClT20 and IPl mean a lot for the young players. “It is a wonderful chance for them to exploit their skills against some of the best and make a name for themselves. I think that’s one of the key messages we have had to all those young kids who are part of our squad, this is a great opportunity. Wonderful place to play cricket against some really quality players,” he said.
Asked if Shoaib Malik would be playing, the coach said, “Yes, he is with us, absolutely. He has been a wonderful player for us. We have had a week in Sri lanka, where he has certainly shown his class. He is a very valuable player in our squad”.
The team captain Tim Paine said, “We are excited to play against KXIP on their home ground and looking forward to this match.” To a question, Paine said, they have drawn plans to contain KXIP’s dangerous player Glenn Maxwell.
Optimistic Klusener
They may not be having the big names in world cricket but that doesn’t dampen the sprits of South African team Dolphins, who are eyeing to win ClT20.
“We are really looking forward to the challenge up ahead. Our intention is to come here and win this trophy and win this tournament. I think its important that we approach that (championship) in that way and play in a certain way that we feel we can achieve that goal,” Dolphins coach and former South African all-rounder lance Klusener told reporters here on Tiesday.
With many young and inexperienced players in the side, he further said that “it is an awesome opportunity for our young team as well.”
Former South Africa wicketkeeper-batsman and team captain Morne van Wyk (35), also appeared optimism, with his team playing its first match against Perth Scorchers at Mohali on September 20. When asked if the team was banking on a particular player, Wyk said, “we look to everybody to contribute, there is not one in particular, we won the tournament back home where everybody contributed. We need everyone to chip in and that will be okay.”