Faulkner to play for Hobart Hurricanes in BBL

James Faulkner, the Australian allrounder, has returned to his native Tasmania to play with the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League (BBL).

As first reported by Cricbuzz in March, Faulkner moves to the Hurricanes franchise after seven seasons with Melbourne Stars. The Hurricanes on Tuesday (May 15) announced their prized signing with the 28-year-old agreeing to a three-year deal.

Faulkner, who also plays for Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield, is hoping to reignite his stalled career after a disappointing summer where he did not play for Australia. Faulkner had been a mainstay of Australia's limited-overs line-ups and was adjudged the man-of-the-match in the 2015 World Cup final.

"I had always hoped to return to playing all my cricket in Tasmania when the time was right," Faulkner said on Tuesday. "I really love the feeling around the team now and I'm impressed by the culture they've managed to build. I think the state is going from strength to strength, and that was a big part of my decision to come home, play alongside my mates and enjoy all my home domestic cricket formats here.

"I want to thank the Melbourne Stars for everything they've done for me over the last seven years," he added. "They were very supportive of me when I was playing with Australia and I've loved every minute with them."

Nick Cummins, Cricket Tasmania chief executive, said Faulkner would add "significant value" to the Hurricanes, who finished runners-up in last season's BBL. "We are pleased to finally have the opportunity to work with him for a full 12 months of the year and help him get back into the Australian squad," he said. "The fact he is a Tassie cricketer makes it all the better and he holds a fantastic record in the Big Bash, IPL and at the T20 International level."

Faulkner, who has played 69 ODIs for Australia and excelled as an accurate left-arm medium pacer and dangerous middle-lower order batsman, will be looking to rediscover his best ahead of next year's World Cup in the UK.

He played 47 matches for the Stars, scoring 556 runs with a strike rate of 109.45 and average of 26.48, while also taking 45 wickets.