The Accountant Who Became An Unlikely Cricket Hero In Australia’s Big Bash League

Nick Hobson holds down a full-time job as an accountant at Ernst & Young, but he won’t be at his desk on Monday, February 6 after nearly two months of annual leave.

And that’s with good reason. Hobson, who’s 28, became an unlikely cricket hero when he powered Perth Scorchers past Brisbane Heat in an epic grand final to claim their fifth Big Bash League title.

“I actually called them last week and the first thing they said was ‘you’re not coming back Monday are you’. I said ‘no I’m not’,” grinned Hobson about his office job.

“I’ll come back the week after. I’ll let it all decompress.”

In the space of a whirlwind few overs, where he memorably combined with 19-year-old Cooper Connolly, who by the end of the match had turned into a cult favorite amongst the rowdy 53,886 fans at Perth Stadium, Hobson transformed from villain to hero.

He was set to be public enemy number one after being part of a horrendous mix-up with skipper Ashton Turner, who was spearheading the Scorchers to the title until being run-out on 53.

Hobson, who hadn’t batted in six of the previous eight matches, wanted to dig a hole for himself in the middle of the ground and escape the wrath from the sell-out crowd who were suddenly jittery with underdog Heat moving into favouritism.

“Pretty awful to be honest,” Hobson described how he felt after Turner’s dismissal. “I’m still probably going to wake up with nightmares over that one.”

But Hobson immediately received a much-needed tonic from the composed Turner, whose highly-rated leadership shone amid adversity.

“When we were sitting there waiting for the decision, he said ‘mate you’re a gun, you’ll get us over the line, you’ll be absolutely fine, hit good shots’,” recalled Hobson. “There was no resentment. He’s an amazing leader.”

Connolly, who had only faced 11 balls previously in his BBL career, belied his inexperience and fearlessly smashed 18 runs in the 18th over to swing the match back in the home team’s favor.

The nerve-jangling decider came down to the final over with the title in the balance and Scorchers needing 10 runs off star quick Michael Neser, who is on the fringe of Australia’s Test team.

After a first ball single from Connolly, it was Hobson’s turn to step up under pressure and he did exactly that with a six over deep midwicket then a boundary to trigger wild celebrations.

“I’ve never played in front of anything like that, I’ll remember that forever,” Hobson remarked about the fourth biggest crowd in BBL history. “I’m stoked. To play every game this season, win a final, I couldn’t have dreamt of it really.”

But, eventually, a return to his day job looms as Hobson is not a full-time cricketer and has never played at the First-Class level. “We’ll wait and see. I haven’t thought about it,” Hobson said when asked if thought his heroics might warrant more opportunities.

“So with limited prep I just focus on my T20 stuff more. If the other stuff eventuates, great, but I’m focusing on the thing that I’m picked in at the moment.”

His cricket future remains up in the air, but Hobson sure will be the toast of the office on his first day back at work.