Star all-rounder knocks back Hobart contract; Hurricanes re-sign Nepalese spin wizard
One of the Big Bash League’s greatest wicket takers will not be returning to the Hobart Hurricanes, with James Faulkner parting ways with the club after three seasons in purple.
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FORMER World Cup hero James Faulkner has played his last match for any Tasmanian based side after knocking back a contract to return to the Hurricanes next summer.
The star all-rounder — who was man of the match in Australia’s 2015 50-over World Cup triumph — has been part of the Hobart camp for the past three seasons after playing the first seven editions of the BBL with the Melbourne Stars.
But negotiations between Faulkner’s camp and the Hurricanes broke down and the 31-year-old informed coach Adam Griffith he will not be re-signing.
Faulkner was not offered a Tigers deal last year to focus on the shortest form of the game.
His time in purple has been punctuated by several soft tissue injuries, but he is still the club’s third highest wicket taker from his 25 games (36 at an average of 19) and his 80 Big Bash wickets is the eighth most of all time.
“Unfortunately James has knocked back a contract with the Hurricanes,” Griffith said.
“We’ve had pretty robust discussions with him and his management around a contract, we went back a number of times, two or three times, to bump that up to try and get him on board.
“It even got to the stage where we were chatting about what it could look like potentially past this season, but he has decided his cricket future lies elsewhere.”
While disappointed, Griffith said the Hurricanes have more than adequate depth to cover Faulkner’s departure, despite his reputation as one of the best new-ball and death bowlers in the game.
“We have played a lot of cricket without him over the last couple of years, our bowling group has done a great job, so we are just really excited by the guys we have now.
“Everyone knows how much he has done for the Tigers and the success of our program there, he has been part of a lot of victories and winning titles from a state perspective.
“But realistically in the BBL, he’s played a lot of cricket in Melbourne.
“He has played some good cricket for the Hurricanes, but a lot of other players have as well.”
One player who will be returning in purple is Nepalese spin star Sandeep Lamichhane as one of the three imports.
Lamichhane joined Hobart last year, taking eight wickets in his eight appearances, but will be available for the entirety of BBL|11.
“It is something we continue to talk about, that continuity of our list,” Griffith said.
“We have seen Sandeep perform really well, not only in Big Bash but around the world in T20 cricket, proven match winner.
“He fitted in really well with the group last year, not just from a playing perspective.
“To have someone of his quality that is here the entire tournament is a massive thing, you are not chopping and changing your line up.”
Unknown Queenslander lands Hurricanes contract
THE Hurricanes have plucked an unknown Queensland domestic talent and handed him a one year Big Bash deal in the hopes of unearthing a potential star.
All-rounder Josh Kann, who plays for the Gold Coast District Cricket Club in the Queensland Premier Cricket League, has signed with Hobart for this summer’s BBL.
The 21-year-old has more recently been plying his trade in the Northern Territory, featuring for the Southern Storm in the TIO Men’s Strike League.
A former Australian under-19 representative — who has been part of the Bulls program but only managed one Futures League match in 2019 — has caught the eye of several states with his form in the Strike League.
“This is my first professional contract, which is obviously something every player dreams of and works towards,” Kann said.
“I’m just looking forward to getting down there and learning as much as I can from the other players and coaching staff. I’ll be looking to play my role and contribute to the squad in whatever way I can.”
Kann told NT News last week a full relocation to Tasmania could be on the cards if he is unable to break into Queensland’s state side.
“I’ve been in the second XI squad [for Queensland] for the past few years and then I’ve got the attention from Tasmania that’s hit over the past month or so, so it’s been a pretty tough [decision] but I think I’m going to come home trying to play for Queensland and then head to Tasmania just before the Big Bash.
“I’m going to give it one last shot [with the Bulls] and if they give me an opportunity, I’ll take it but if not, I’ll be off to Tassie.”
Kann joins Scott Boland, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Peter Handscomb, Caleb Jewell, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Joel Paris, Will Parker, D’Arcy Short, Matthew Wade and Mac Wright as players contracted to the Hurricanes for BBL|11.
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