Hurricanes have belief back, says Matthew Wade

[Mark-x]

Matthew Wade says the return of Australian all-rounders D'Arcy Short and James Faulkner has brought a timely injection of belief to his rejuvenated Hurricanes side.

Seemingly out of finals contention two matches ago, the Hurricanes picked up a tight win over Melbourne Renegades and a thumping victory over Sydney Thunder on Friday night to leapfrog the latter into fifth.

Wade's 5-7 outfit must defeat Adelaide Strikers on Saturday to stay in the finals frame, but with Faulkner back from injury and Short full of confidence following a maiden five-for, the Hurricanes can't be written off.

 

"We're coming good at the right time," Wade said.

"To have two world-class players come back into your line-up is a boost everyone would like and thankfully they've come back at the right end of the tournament.

"We didn't think we'd see Jimmy again, he's recovered quicker than we thought and he's vital for us in the powerplay.

"Not only are they great players but it gives a lot of energy around the group and the boys can look over and see experienced players and experienced heads, so really proud that we could do what we did in Melbourne and then come back here and perform like we know we can."

Short's 5-21 on Friday was only the 14th five-for in nine seasons of the BBL and was the first-ever by an opening batsman.

"D'Arcy's a really good bowler - especially at [Bellerive] we often bowl him to the longest boundary and he bowls quite a hard length and has the variations to be able to catch blokes out when they're going to the longest boundary," Wade said.

"He was a banker for four overs most of the time last year ... to have someone that bowls in the top six is vital and for him to take 5-21 in the end - if he misses out with the bat he usually contributes with the ball and vice versa."