http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RT-Ponting-c2377 back with Hobart Hurricanes for Big Bash League 2 – Cricket News Update
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746’s veteran batsman Ricky Ponting has re-signed with the Hobart Hurricanes for the upcoming Twenty20 Big Bash League, the second season of which is due to kick off in December this year.
“I really enjoyed my short time with the Hurricanes last season and being part of the team's first ever win (over Perth Scorchers) was something I'll never forget,” he said.
The 37-year-old enjoyed a brief but memorable stint with the team, contributing a quick 17 to the Hurricanes’ maiden victory against the Perth Scorchers at the WACA Ground in inaugural edition of the league last year.
He was unable to play any further matches for the side owing to international commitments, but hopes to be able to contribute more to the team this time around.
“The side is coming together really well and I am excited to be part of it all again and can hopefully put in some good performances for the boys,” Ponting said.
In the inaugural edition of the tournament, the Hurricanes (coached by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/TD-Paine-c2652) managed to rack up 140 against the Scorchers, before bowling them out for 109 in their first match. Their second game was against the Sydney
Sixers (who eventually went on to win the tournament), and they managed a second victory, this time by 42 runs. However, although they made it to the semi-finals, the Hurricanes were unable to qualify for the finals.
In addition to Ponting, the line-up for the upcoming season features Paine (who was a former Test wicketkeeper), overseas player http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rajasthan-c837 Royals in the 2012 edition of the Indian Premier League),
and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Travis-Birt-c2707 (who won the 2011-12 Player of the Tournament award).
Ponting is likely to feature in more matches for the Hurricanes this time around, following his axing from the national ODI squad earlier this year. The right-hander was abruptly dropped in the middle of the Commonwealth Bank tri-series hosted by Australia
in February this year, following a slew of poor batting performances.
Although he admitted his ODI career appeared to be over, Ponting did express the intent to play on for the national side in the extended-overs format of the game. However, with the Aussies’ next Test assignment due to be the Ashes 2013, Ponting is likely
to be on an extended break from national duty.
The batsman’s vast experience, comprising a career that has spanned 375 ODIs and 40 T20s, is sure to serve the Hurricanes well in their BBL2 campaign, with their first match due to be played against Brisbane Heat at the Gabba on December 9.
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