The Hobart Hurricanes’ recent Global Super League (GSL) campaign in Guyana, while not culminating in a final appearance, proved to be a significant learning experience for the squad, particularly for its younger players.
The squad was coached by Hobart Hurricanes Head Coach Jeff Vaughan and assisted by Mike Smith.
Hobart Hurricanes Assistant Coach Mike Smith
Mike Smith, speaking about the team’s takeaways,
highlighted the challenges of playing in foreign environments with 30-degree heat, high humidity, and vastly different wickets compared to Australian conditions.
Despite these hurdles, Smith noted ‘some really good signs’ and ‘good learning opportunities,’ especially for players who had not experienced such intense T20 franchise environments before. He expressed slight disappointment about not reaching the final, particularly after a strong start, believing the team had the capability to challenge Guyana.
A key positive was the integration and performance of the international players, who not only excelled on the field but also readily shared their knowledge and experience with the younger Hurricanes, providing ‘massive learning opportunities’ during their shared time in the team hotel. Smith specifically praised Billy Stanlake’s exceptional fast bowling on non-conducive wickets, noting his ‘aggression’ and ‘good pace’ against rushing batters.
Mike Smith media interview at Ninja Stadium 28 July 2025 here.
Hurricanes batter Mac Wright
Mac Wright echoed these sentiments, describing the trip as a ‘good challenge’ and an ‘interesting’ first-time experience in a different part of the world. He found the GSL format of drawing teams from around the world to be ‘a really good idea that produces good cricket.
Wright highlighted the significant difference in conditions, especially the low bounce of the ball compared to Australian pitches, and learned a lot from observing T20 circuit veterans.
His own half-century in the tournament was a positive return to T20 cricket after a knee injury, and he credited Ben McDermott for taking pressure off him while batting.
Mac Wright media interview at Ninja Stadium 28 July 2025 here.
Looking ahead to the BBL, Wright believes his more precise, skillful batting style, focusing on keeping the whole ground in play, can carve out a unique role in the Hurricanes’ power-hitting lineup. He approaches the upcoming season with a new lease on his career and a “nothing to lose” mindset after overcoming injuries.
Both interviews emphasise the GSL as a crucial developmental platform, offering invaluable exposure to foreign conditions and high-level T20 competition, which is expected to benefit the Hurricanes in future seasons.
Full match reports and GSL results are here.
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