Star all-rounder James Faulkner has his say on why he isn’t returning to the Hobart Hurricanes
Former Australian World Cup hero James Faulkner has revealed the reason he is not returning to the Hobart Hurricanes — or the Big Bash in the near future.
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A “disrespectful” contract offer has sparked an incredible fallout between Hurricanes coach Adam Griffith and James Faulkner which saw the star all-rounder turn his back on the team.
Faulkner, 31, has confirmed he will not play for another Big Bash outfit after he and Hobart could not come to an agreement over a new deal.
The former Australian World Cup hero signed with the Hurricanes leading into BBL|08 after a seven-year stint with the Melbourne Stars, but was struck down by soft tissue injuries in the last two tournaments.
He still took 36 wickets in 25 games for the side at an economy rate of 8.02.
Last week Griffith told media the Hurricanes had gone back to Faulkner’s management on several occasions in an attempt to re-sign him, even proposing a multi-year deal.
However Faulkner has declared he never looked beyond the upcoming summer.
“For me it’s not a financial decision for me to play. It was just where they ranked me, it was embarrassing and it was hurtful, hence why they apologised a couple of months later,” Faulkner said on Friday.
“It was almost like they just thought I’d just sign the paper.
“That first offer was probably a couple of months after [last year’s] Big Bash … as I said it probably took two or three weeks for my manager to bring to me.
“I found it pretty disrespectful, I know what I’ve done as a Tasmanian cricketer, I’ve given it everything I’ve got.
“There’s a reason why I wasn’t signing and it comes back to that first offer.”
Faulkner said he has no issues with Cricket Tasmania, the board or any of his now former teammates.
And while a fractured relationship with Griffith may be irreparable, he will continue to support the Hurricanes on their quest for a maiden Big Bash title.
“I thought that [relationship] was all good but what’s happened is pretty ordinary, and I said on radio I don’t like using certain words but he hasn’t told the truth.
“I won’t be playing in the Big Bash this year, it wouldn’t matter if any other team tried to contract me, I won’t be playing. There is only one team I wanted to play for.
“I’ve got some great relationships at Cricket Tasmania and I’ll always have them with some great memories.
“I want the boys to win, BBL|11 coming up, the Hurricanes haven’t won and I want them to win. I want to be there when they win, if I’m in the country.
“My teammates have been phenomenal, I’ve had four or five messages this morning. I think a few of them are as hurt as what I am and obviously they didn’t know what actually transpired, they just probably thought I wasn’t signing.”
Former Tigers coach Tim Coyle — who brought Faulkner into the first class arena in 2008-09 — said he was surprised by the outcome, especially knowing what the talented all-rounder brings to the table.
“Over the years and in my time with him in our program, he was a bloke that played with a lot of passion but over and above that, he’s a match winner,” Coyle said.
“I know how infectious that is to the playing group.
“It’ll be a loss to the change room and the playing group not to have him around, because his passion for playing cricket for the Hurricanes and for Tasmania, and the way he prepares and switches on to the game, he’s very experienced.
“People will rightly feel a little bit disappointed that he’s not about. Does it affect them going forward? I think they’ve just got to get on with the business don’t they and prepare to have a real crack at the title.
“It is something that is missing from the cabinet and it would be a huge focus for that program I would imagine.”
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