Caleb Jewell has earned a contract after making great strides last summer in the Hurricanes Academy to impress coach Adam Griffith.

The 21-year-old battled in six state one-dayers and three Sheffield Shield games.

The hard-hitting opening batsman averaged just 15.83 in the 50-over game and 4.83 in the four-day fixtures for the Tasmanians back in 2016.

But a breakout year in the club competition earned the North Hobart star the 2017-18 Emerson Rodwell medal with Clarence captain Harry Allanby after Jewell notched up 935 runs at 49.21.

“I’m looking forward to the chance to further develop the skills I learned in the Hurricanes Academy last year while hopefully being able to play among some of the best T20 players in the world,” Jewell said.

“I see myself as an aggressive batsman while being adaptable to different situations and where I bat.

“Hopefully the fans can see the Hurricanes go one step further this summer – our batting lineup is packed with big hitters.”

Griffith feels Jewell has more than earned his opportunity and the coach is keen to watch how the youngster step up to the big stage.

“He’s an aggressive top-order player, who has the ability to get the team off to a quick start,” he said.

“As he continues to develop his game, we see him being able to bat through the middle and later stages of an innings with his impressive power game.”

Jewell will also join Englishman Ben Duckett in the Hurricanes squad for the Abu Dhabi T20 tournament starting on October 4 before their BBL season gets underway on December 22 against Brisbane Heat.

Duckett has played four Tests and three one-dayers for his country, the last of which came in November 2016 during the tour of India.

The Kent keeper has shone through in 73 domestic T20 games where he has averaged 29.94 with the bat at a hefty strike rate of 132.75