- SportsTak

Matthew Wade, the past master batter, has pronounced to take a break from the underway Big Bash Leage (BBL) for an unspecified period. Personal reason is cited to be the cause of the Hobart Hurricanes skipper's absence.

The leader has not been included in the 14-strong Hobart squad which will lock horns with Brisbane Heat on Saturday (January 8).

Sans Wade, Peter Handscomb will spearhead the side at The Gabba.

The 34-year-old has endured a not so good competition so far, mustering just 177 with an average of 19.66. He has struggled to touch the double figures in each of his four innings. Though, he had a brilliant T20 World Cup for the Australian side and was expected to set the stage on fire in BBL which unfortunately has not happened yet.

Wade's side currently sit fourth in the BBL chart with four victories from nine matches.

Hobart's head coach Adam Griffith however feels that the veteran batter will be back for the twilight of the highly touted cricket league.

"He's okay. "It's just something he's working through at the moment," said Griffith.

"We don't really have a timeline just as yet, but we're hopeful of having him back at the back-end of the tournament," he added.

Wade, who has played a total of 73 matches in the BBL as date, has scored 2008 runs with a staggering strike rate of 143.33. He has walloped 14 fifties and a century and his highest individual score remains 130 not out. Such is the stature of the league specialist.

Meanwhile, Gabe Bell of Tasmanian Tigers and Queensland's Will Sanders have been added to the Hurricanes squad.

The bowling sensation Scott Boland along with Natha Ellis and Joel Paris are all missing due to a combination of international commitments and injury.

Hobart meanwhile will be boosted by the return of speedster Riley Meredith in the squad as he had suffered a hamstring injury recently. Also, Tom Lammonby is available again after playing the opening two games against Sydney Sixers, but Harry Brook and Jordan Thompson continue to be sidelined as a precaution having been in close proximity to a Covid-19 case.