Nathan Ellis and Tom Andrews celebrate the winning runs (AAP/Linda Higginson)
Stand-in Hobart Hurricanes captain Nathan Ellis Is convinced his talented but erratic BBL side is finally beginning to click, despite suffering a horrendous batting collapse in their two-wicket win over Melbourne Stars on Monday.
Chasing just 132 at Blundstone Arena, the Hurricanes were cruising at 1-94 after 11 overs, but then lost 7-35.
An inside-edged boundary from Ellis got Hobart home with 14 balls to spare and the win lifted them level on points with fifth-placed Adelaide Strikers, who are above them on net run rate.
Hobart were highly fancied to do well In the tournament but prior to Monday’s match had won only three out of eight games.
They were coming off successive away defeats by the Strikers and Renegades, having lost the match to Adelaide despite scoring 229.
Ellis said the Hurricanes had yet to put together a full game.
“We’re all well aware of the star power we have in our batting line-up,” Ellis said
‘We’ve had a couple of hiccups along the way predominantly with our fielding but we’re waiting to have that game where we put in a full performance
“You probably don’t even want to do that at the start of the tournament, you want to be doing that at the back end when the whips are cracking.
“So whilst disappointed in the end tonight, I think its really exciting moving forward that things are starting to click.”
Former Australian batter Mark Waugh said the Hurricanes have got a lot of improvement left.
Ellis was standing in as captain for Matthew Wade, who missed Monday’s game for personal reasons.
“A bit of a sleepless night last night trying to figure it all out, but it sort of helps when your bowlers are taking wickets and you are bowling really well,” Ellis said.
His captaincy effort was praised by Australian multi-format batting star David Warner
“He actually captained very well, I reckon his bowling changes were exceptional,” Warner said on Fox Cricket.
“He brought himself on when he needed to.”
Wade apart, the Hurricanes also have emerging wristspinner Patrick Dooley to come back from injury.
The last-placed Stars were without Marcus Stoinis but its believed his low grade hamstring issue won’t keep him out for much longer.
