Like a very late Christmas present, the Big Bash Semi Finals are here, the latest they’ve ever been, making sure that pretty much everyone in Australia has forgotten about them by now. But not me!

In all honesty, if these games were held in late January, my excitement levels would be at half-mast. Great work Cricket Australia. Let’s thunder in with tonight’s First Semi Final!

The ‘Canes (1st) vs The Melbourne Stars (4th) – 1st Semi Final

Blundstone Arena, 7:10pm AEDT TONIGHT, most likely punted to 7mate for MKR

The Hobart Hurricanes (10-4) have thrived in BBL 08 thanks to the most well-balanced line-up in the comp. They boast the two highest runscorers in the comp in D’Arcy Short (1st) and Matty Wade (2nd), a solid middle order in Ben McDermott and Gorgeous George Bailey, and a solid bowling attack led by all-rounder James Faulkner (18 wickets).

Their opponents the Stars (7-7) are back in the finals for the 7th time in 8 seasons after their demolition job of the Sixers, and they too, have a lot of Star players like Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell… hence the name. Ironically, had the Heat actually bothered to fix the ‘Gabba lights back in January and the game been played out, the Stars would have finished 5th regardless of the result thanks to their run rate. Ha ha ha, Brisbane.

And now to help with my preview, here’s a few words from former Australian captain, and long time Channel Nine commentator, Mark Taylor.

“The Hurricanes will want to bat first, and score plenty of runs through Short and Wade, and then look to use their bowling attack led by James Faulkner to take wickets against the Stars batting attack led by Stoinis and Maxwell.”

“If they can do that, then I think the Hurricanes will win and go through to the Big Bash Final.”

Thanks Tubs, I’ll pick the ‘Cane Train too.