Hurricanes coach Gary Kirsten says his side needs to consistently perform in the “important moments” to be a serious threat in the Big Bash.
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The Hurricanes went down in a last-over nail-biter to Perth Scorchers on Saturday night, with in-form all-rounder Ashton Turner sealing a five-wicket win for the home side with a scooped four off Jofra Archer.
The defeat killed off any chance of a top-two finish, but Kirsten’s men can seal a finals appearance with a win over the lowly Melbourne Stars next weekend.
“We’ve been playing really good cricket through the season but in patches,” Kirsten said.
“We’re not putting complete games together which keeps us competitive and keeps us in the games and makes them really close, but I think it’s just trying to make sure… that in those important moments you take control of the situation, which we’ve done in the five games we won.”
The Hurricanes batsmen were often tied down in the Scorchers clash and played out 51 dot balls, with Ashton Agar (2-14 off four overs) proving near impossible to get away.
But there were plenty of positives too for Kirsten - particularly the performance of all-rounder Simon Milenko, who was brought into the side as cover for opener Alex Doolan.
Arriving at the crease at 4-68, Milenko hit five sixes and four fours to top-score with 66 off 37 and guide his side to a competitive 5-167.
“Milenko came in and saved us in many ways, he batted beautifully at six.
“The positive... is that the games we’ve lost have been really tight - except for the first two that weren’t tight.
“But these last two have been good games so that’s a positive out of it and the positive is that we’re still in the competition, if we win another game we’re through.”
Doolan, who missed the Perth game with concussion after top-scoring with 70 not out against Adelaide, is expected to be available for the Stars clash.