Hobart Hurricanes BBL 2026-27 Squad, Players & Latest Signings

Hobart Hurricanes have 17 players confirmed for BBL|16 after re-signing Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain. The 24-year-old returns after taking 15 wickets last season and will be available for Hobart’s first eight matches. He joins Adam Zampa in the spin attack, with Shai Hope occupying the club’s other overseas position.

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Nathan Ellis remains captain and Jeff Vaughan continues as head coach. Hobart now have just one primary roster place available after also recruiting Nick Hobson and retaining Tim Ward, Will Prestwidge, Marcus Bean and Iain Carlisle.

Check the latest BBL 2026-27 squads for all confirmed players.

Hobart Hurricanes BBL|16 at a glance

Hobart are one signing away from completing their primary squad. Rishad’s return gives them two specialist leg-spinners alongside an established batting core led by Tim David, Ben McDermott, Mitch Owen and Shai Hope.

When do Hobart Hurricanes play in BBL 2026-27?

Hobart Hurricanes play ten regular-season matches between 17 December 2026 and 17 January 2027. Five matches are in Tasmania, with four at Ninja Stadium and one at UTAS Stadium in Launceston.

Match times in AEDT, IST and Pakistan time are available on the complete BBL 2026-27 schedule.

The full tournament fixture can also be saved using the BBL|16 schedule PDF.

Hobart Hurricanes confirmed squad for BBL|16

Hobart have 17 contracted players and one vacancy on their 18-player primary roster. Shai Hope and Rishad Hossain occupy two overseas positions, leaving the Hurricanes room for one additional international signing.

What has changed for Hobart Hurricanes ahead of BBL|16?

Hobart’s BBL|16 list has changed substantially since the start of the contracting period.

Rishad Hossain returns: The Bangladesh leg-spinner has signed a one-year deal covering Hobart’s first eight BBL|16 matches. He took 15 wickets last season and was named the club’s BBL Player of the Year.

Tim Ward re-signs: The left-handed opener returns after scoring 200 runs in BBL|15, including a breakthrough 90 from 49 balls against Sydney Thunder.

Will Prestwidge commits through BBL|17: The seam-bowling allrounder has signed a two-season extension after making his first Hurricanes appearances last summer.

Marcus Bean and Iain Carlisle return: Both Tasmanian fast bowlers have signed one-year extensions for BBL|16.

Nick Hobson joins from Perth: The experienced left-hander adds a proven No. 6 or No. 7 option and another specialist finisher.

Shai Hope returns: The West Indies captain gives Hobart top-order batting and wicketkeeping cover for the full campaign.

Adam Zampa joins: Australia’s experienced leg-spinner strengthens a bowling attack already featuring Nathan Ellis and Riley Meredith.

Matthew Wade retires: Wade’s nine-season Hurricanes playing career has ended as he moves further into coaching.

Hobart now have 17 confirmed players and one primary roster vacancy. Rishad’s return strengthens their spin attack, although his contract currently covers only eight of the ten regular-season matches.

Shai Hope returns to Hobart for the full BBL|16 season

Shai Hope is one of the most important additions to the Hurricanes squad.

The West Indies ODI and T20I captain is returning to Hobart after his previous five match stint with the club. This time, the Hurricanes have secured him for the full BBL|16 campaign, giving the club far more certainty around the top of the batting order.

Hope is a right handed wicketkeeper batter who has scored more than 1,700 runs in men’s T20 internationals. The Hurricanes also highlighted his increasing impact at the top of the West Indies batting order.

Matthew Wade retired from the Big Bash in September 2026 and is outside Hobart’s BBL|16 playing squad.

Read the full official Shai Hope return announcement.

Nick Hobson gives Hobart a left-handed finishing option

Nick Hobson has joined Hobart Hurricanes after spending his entire Big Bash career with Perth Scorchers.

The 32-year-old left-hander has settled into the No. 6 and 7 positions in recent seasons and has built a reputation as a late-innings hitter. Hobson also famously scored the winning runs against Brisbane Heat in the 2022-23 BBL Final that gave Perth their fifth championship.

Hobart retain Ward, Prestwidge, Bean and Carlisle

Hobart’s latest move has been about continuity rather than another high-profile external signing.

Tim Ward, Will Prestwidge, Marcus Bean and Iain Carlisle have all re-signed ahead of BBL|16, keeping four Tasmanian-based players inside Jeff Vaughan’s squad.

Ward is the most established batter of the group after scoring 200 runs in BBL|15. His standout performance was 90 from 49 balls against Sydney Thunder, showing that his game can translate from longer-format cricket to an aggressive T20 role.

Prestwidge featured three times for Hobart last season after previously being with Brisbane Heat. His new deal runs through BBL|17, giving the Hurricanes another developing pace-bowling allrounder behind their established attack.

Bean and Carlisle both strengthen Hobart’s local fast-bowling depth. Neither signing necessarily changes the first-choice XI immediately, but retaining both is useful across a compressed BBL season where injuries, workload management and representative availability can quickly affect bowling resources.

With Rishad Hossain also re-signed, Hobart have 17 contracted players and one place available on their 18-player primary list.

Adam Zampa and Rishad Hossain strengthen Hobart’s spin attack

The BBL player signings page covers the latest moves across the competition.

Who is the Hobart Hurricanes captain for BBL|16?

Nathan Ellis is the Hobart Hurricanes captain for BBL|16. The club’s current squad page continues to identify Ellis as captain, and he is contracted through the end of BBL|17.

Ellis led Hobart to their first Big Bash championship in BBL|14. His value goes beyond his bowling at the end of an innings. He sets fields, manages bowling changes and provides leadership to a pace group containing Meredith, Stanlake, Owen and Webster.

Ellis took 14 wickets from nine appearances in BBL|15. A hamstring injury kept him out of the finals, with Ben McDermott taking over the captaincy during the Knockout and Challenger.

McDermott remains an experienced deputy, but Ellis is the confirmed captain going into the new season.

Jeff Vaughan continues as head coach

Jeff Vaughan has led Hobart Hurricanes since his appointment in July 2022. He coached the club to its first men’s Big Bash title in BBL|14 and a Challenger appearance in BBL|15.

For BBL|16, Vaughan’s options include the leg-spin pairing of Adam Zampa and Rishad Hossain, full-season wicketkeeper-batter Shai Hope and returning captain Nathan Ellis.

How does the current Hobart Hurricanes squad balance look?

Hobart have 17 players confirmed, providing strong coverage across batting, wicketkeeping, pace and spin. Rishad Hossain’s return has strengthened the bowling group further, although his eight-match availability will require planning for the closing fixtures.

Top-order batting

Jake Weatherald, Mitch Owen and Tim Ward give the Hurricanes several opening options.

Ben McDermott and Shai Hope can also bat near the top, allowing Hobart to adjust combinations based on availability and matchups.

Middle order and finishing

Nikhil Chaudhary and Beau Webster offer flexibility through the middle overs.

Tim David remains the specialist power hitter, while Nick Hobson gives Hobart another left-handed option for the final phase of an innings.

That combination is particularly useful after Matthew Wade’s retirement because Hobson can occupy the type of lower-middle-order finishing role Hobart identified during recruitment.

Wicketkeeping

Shai Hope and Ben McDermott provide experienced wicketkeeping options following Matthew Wade’s retirement. Hobart’s final primary-squad place can therefore be used to strengthen another role or add further cover.

Pace bowling

Nathan Ellis and Riley Meredith remain the frontline fast bowlers.

Billy Stanlake provides another specialist pace option, while Iain Carlisle and Marcus Bean increase domestic depth.

Mitch Owen, Beau Webster and Will Prestwidge give Jeff Vaughan additional seam-bowling options and make it easier to adjust the balance of the XI.

Spin bowling

Adam Zampa and Rishad Hossain are Hobart’s two specialist leg-spinners for BBL|16.

Rishad’s first-eight-match deal gives the Hurricanes another wicket-taking option through the middle overs, while Zampa offers domestic spin experience beyond that initial availability window.

Nikhil Chaudhary provides an additional leg-spin option if Hobart want another bowling combination.

Under “Wicketkeeping”, replace the sentence referring to “either of their final two roster positions” with:

Shai Hope and Ben McDermott provide experienced wicketkeeping options, so Hobart do not need to use their final available roster position solely to cover the gloves.

How many roster places do Hobart Hurricanes have left?

Hobart Hurricanes have 17 confirmed BBL|16 players, leaving one place available on their 18-player primary roster.

Shai Hope and Rishad Hossain occupy two of the three possible overseas positions. Hobart can therefore add one more overseas player or use the final place on a domestic signing.

Rishad’s contract currently covers only the first eight matches, so availability for the final two league fixtures and possible finals is an important consideration.

Which Hobart Hurricanes players are currently uncontracted?

The following players from Hobart’s previous BBL squad are not included in the current 17-player primary list.

Rishad Hossain has re-signed with Hobart, while Chris Jordan has joined Sydney Sixers. They have different current statuses from the uncontracted players listed above.

Matthew Wade has retired from the Big Bash

Matthew Wade should no longer be shown as part of the BBL|16 squad.

The Hobart Hurricanes confirmed his retirement from the Big Bash in September 2026 after nine seasons with the club. Wade finished his Hurricanes career with 90 matches, 2,446 runs, 17 fifties and one century, with a highest score of 130 not out.

That is one reason the Hope signing is more important than simply adding another overseas batter. Hope can contribute in both areas and has already played for the Hurricanes.

Which Hobart Hurricanes fixtures stand out?

Opening night in Hobart

Hobart Hurricanes begin their season against Brisbane Heat at Ninja Stadium on 17 December. The match gives the Hurricanes an early home start before they travel to Perth and Melbourne.

Early test against the champions

Hobart visit defending champions Perth Scorchers at Optus Stadium on 20 December. The Hurricanes won in Perth during BBL|15, but the Scorchers went on to claim their sixth title.

Christmas Eve at Junction Oval

Melbourne Renegades host Hobart Hurricanes on 24 December. It is Hobart’s final match before returning to Ninja Stadium to face Melbourne Stars on 29 December.

Big Bash returns to Launceston

Hobart Hurricanes play Adelaide Strikers at UTAS Stadium on 9 January. It will be the Hurricanes’ first BBL match in Launceston since the 2023-24 season.

Final home match against Sydney Sixers

Hobart finish the regular season against Sydney Sixers at Ninja Stadium on 17 January. The Sixers ended the Hurricanes’ BBL|15 campaign with a 57-run win in the Challenger, giving the final-round fixture extra context.

The ten fixtures and Tasmania venue split were confirmed in the Hobart Hurricanes BBL|16 schedule announcement.

Where do Hobart Hurricanes play their home matches?

Hobart Hurricanes have five regular-season home matches in BBL|16.

Ninja Stadium is located in Bellerive on Hobart’s eastern shore and is also widely known as Bellerive Oval. UTAS Stadium brings the Hurricanes back to northern Tasmania after two seasons without a Launceston home fixture.

How did Hobart Hurricanes perform in BBL|15?

Hobart Hurricanes finished third in the BBL|15 regular season with six wins, three losses and one no result. They collected 13 points and had a net run rate of 0.331.

Hobart entered their final league match with a chance to finish first but lost to Brisbane Heat after a late batting collapse. The result dropped the Hurricanes to third and removed the second chance offered to the top two teams.

The Hurricanes then defeated Melbourne Stars in a rain-affected Knockout. Their season ended at the SCG, where Sydney Sixers won the Challenger by 57 runs.

Nathan Ellis and Tim David both missed the finals through hamstring injuries. Ellis had taken 14 wickets in nine matches, while David’s absence removed one of Hobart’s strongest middle-order power hitters.

Who performed best for Hobart Hurricanes in BBL|15?

Ben McDermott led Hobart’s batting with 322 runs at an average of 32.20. Nikhil Chaudhary followed with 307 runs, while Tim Ward contributed 200.

Mitch Owen scored 166 runs at a strike rate of 195.29. His attacking approach remained effective, although he did not repeat the large scores that powered Hobart’s BBL|14 title run.

Rishad Hossain took 15 wickets, with Ellis and Meredith finishing on 14 each. The arrival of Adam Zampa means Hobart now have an experienced domestic spinner alongside their established pace attack.

How many Big Bash titles have Hobart Hurricanes won?

Hobart Hurricanes have won one men’s Big Bash League championship. Their first title came in BBL|14 after they defeated Sydney Thunder by seven wickets at Ninja Stadium.

Sydney Thunder made 7-182 before Hobart reached 3-185 in 14.1 overs. Mitch Owen scored 108 from 42 balls and reached his century in 39 deliveries, equalling the record for the fastest century in Big Bash history.

The BBL|14 victory ended a 14-season wait for the Hurricanes’ first championship.