Hobart Hurricanes skipper Xavier Doherty is looking forward to measuring himself up against veteran spinner Stuart MacGill in Wednesday night's first Big Bash League match at Bellerive.
The fringe Australian tweaker has been impressed with the returns from the retirement home of MacGill, Shane Warne and Brad Hogg in the revamped Twenty20 competition.
Doherty got a first-hand look at Hogg in last weekend's first-up win over the Perth Scorchers, and will get a close-up look at 40-year-old legspinner MacGill when the Hurricanes host the Sydney Sixers.
"I think he's still got a bit left in him," Doherty told reporters on Tuesday.
"As a spinner I guess you probably don't lose your touch too much.
"It doesn't take a lot of effort to run in, as long as your fingers and shoulder's still working you probably don't lose it too much.
"Those guys have shown they've still got a bit to offer."
MacGill grabbed 2 for 21 in the Sixers' victory over Brisbane Heat last Friday, while Doherty impressed with 1 for 15 from four overs against the Scorchers.
The 29-year-old left-arm orthodox bowler, who has played two Tests and 16 one-day internationals, is hopeful he can feature in the ODI tri-series featuring Australia, India and Sri Lanka in the new year.
"If I have a good tournament hopefully something pops up for me," he said.
"The one-day series for Australia kicks off in February so hopefully my name's mentioned about that time."
The second-placed Hurricanes go into the match without Ricky Ponting, who is in the national squad with Jon Wells and Matt Johnston in the frame as possible replacements.
The third-placed Sixers have named dangerman Peter Nevill as Test 'keeper Brad Haddin's replacement.
Hobart Hurricanes: Xavier Doherty (capt), Travis Birt, Ben Hilfenhaus, Michael Hogan, Phil Jaques, Matt Johnston, Jason Krejza, Ben Laughlin, Rhett Lockyear, Rana Naveed, Owais Shah, Tom Triffitt, Jon Wells (12th man TBA).
Sydney Sixers: Steve Smith (capt), Dwayne Bravo, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Brett Lee, Michael Lumb, Stuart MacGill, Nic Maddinson, Ian Moran, Peter Nevill, Mitchell Starc, Dominic Thornely (12th man).
AAP
Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, hobart-7000, tas, sydney-2000, nsw, australia First posted December 20, 2011 19:45:22
No comments:
Post a Comment