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Ben McDermott, who is captaining the Hobart Hurricanes in the absence of Matthew Wade, says the Big Bash League side is motivated by recent finals losses.
Hobart Hurricanes stand-in skipper Ben McDermott admits his team's finals failures in the past two Big Bash competitions still hurt.
The Hurricanes dominated the regular rounds last summer to finish two wins clear on the table but were brushed aside by the Melbourne Stars in the semi-finals.
In 2017-18, they were runner-up to the Adelaide Strikers after making the final from fourth position.
"It definitely drives us," McDermott said ahead of Hobart's season opener against the Sydney Sixers in Alice Springs on Friday.
"We realised we've struggled to win those key moments of those big games. It hurts but we just want to keep playing the way we play."
McDermott, who has 12 T20 internationals under his belt, will take the reins and gloves while usual captain Matthew Wade is on Test duties.
"It's the first time I've captained a T20 side, so I'm a little nervous on that front," the 25-year-old said.
"But I'm really looking forward to the challenge. It's just a matter of keeping calm and running ideas through some of the experience in the side."
The Hurricanes have a huge challenge replacing Wade, who smacked 592 runs last BBL at a strike-rate of 146, and formed a brutal opening duo alongside the tournament's top run-scorer D'Arcy Short.
Coach Adam Griffith said one of two youngsters, Caleb Jewell or Mac Wright, would be called on to open but a final decision wouldn't be made until later in the week.
"It's probably going to be a bit of a gut feel I think," Griffith said.
"Both got a century this season (in the one-day cup) and they've both done okay in club games."
South African import David Miller will bat at No.4 in a different-looking Hurricanes outfit now also without quick and England Ashes star Jofra Archer.
"We've put time into our young fast bowlers. They're not as young now. We're really confident we can back them in," Griffith said.
Injured off-season signing Scott Boland wasn't named on Tuesday in the Hurricanes 13-man squad, which includes pace options Nathan Ellis, Riley Meredith, Tom Rogers and all-rounder James Faulkner.
