"Doesn't fit the balance of our team" - Hobart Hurricanes not in favor of roping in Jofra Archer ahead of BBL 2024-25
Hobart Hurricanes' high performance general manager Salliann Beams has ruled out targetting Jofra Archer in their ranks ahead of the 14th edition of the Big Bash League (BBL). While Beams agreed that the Barbadian is a quality cricketer, she revealed they want to add an all-rounder and a top-order batter to their squad.
The right-arm speedster marked a successful return from a long injury lay-off in T20 World Cup 2024 and delivered promising returns, taking 10 wickets in eight matches at 19 apiece. He plied his trade for the Hobart Hurricanes from 2017-2019 and had 34 scalps in 27 fixtures at 34.
Speaking to reporters, Beams opined that the presence of Riley Meredith, Nathan Ellis, and Chris Jordan ensures that the Hurricanes have a quality bowling attack, with Archer failing to fit in. As quoted by cricket.com.au, she said:
"If you look at our bowlers in our team that offer (what Archer does), we've got Riley (Meredith), Nathan (Ellis) and now Chris (Jordan), it doesn't quite fit from a matchup point of view. What we're looking for is that allrounder and then someone that can fit in the top four."
"Not saying that he's (Archer) not a quality player, he is absolutely, and if we needed that skill set, I think he would be a big target, but he just doesn't fit the balance of our team," she added.
With Archer getting selected for the England team since the 2019 World Cup, he hasn't had the window to participate in the BBL. Moreover, an elbow injury forced him to miss the majority of international action since 2020.
"He's actually bringing something off field" - Salliann Beams on Hobart Hurricanes' pacer
Beams went on to heap praise on Chris Jordan, who signed a two-year deal before the draft, for supporting the players not only on the field but off it. She added:
"That's what's key with all these franchise competitions around the world, what they're doing is targeting those that are most available. That's what we've identified in Chris, we wanted someone not only that could perform on the pitch, he's actually bringing something off field."
"I think the players around him have looked at that and then looked inwardly to go 'I could be a lot better'. He's the guy that walks on the team bus with a foam roller and a mat … he's the ultimate professional and those sorts of behaviours rub off, they're contagious," Beams said.
The Hurricanes finished fifth in the points table of the 13th season.