Tim Paine Set To Return To Hobart Hurricanes For BBL 10

Australian Test skipper Tim Paine has ended his self-imposed three-year Big Bash League exile by signing with his Tasmania-based franchise, Hobart Hurricanes for the upcoming 10th season.

Last year, Tim Paine had spent the closing stages of the BBL in his capacity as a Channel 07 commentator following an exhausting International summer. Paine had said that he was stepping away from the T20 arena to focus on red-ball cricket but the Test skipper is back in the fold for BBL 10 after he admitted that he missed being with the squad.

Paine, an 80 Twenty20 veteran, last featured for Hobart Hurricanes in the seventh edition of the BBL.

“The Canes have been one of the strongest teams in the competition over the past couple of seasons, so to have a small opportunity to be a part of and contribute to that environment where required is something I’m really looking forward to,” Paine said.

“The talent in our squad is phenomenal, and as a proud Tasmanian, there’s no team I would rather make my return to the Big Bash with than Tasmania’s team.” he added.

“Tim won’t be able to be with the squad for their entire BBL|10 campaign due to his international commitments, however, we believe what he brings the team from an experience perspective is invaluable, and he will be a great asset for the continual off-field development of our group as well.” Cricket Tasmania CEO Dominic Baker said.

Paine’s signing completes the quota of domestic players in the Hobart Hurricanes squad. The franchise has already signed the English pair of Dawid Malan and Will Jacks and Proteas T20 freelancer Colin Ingram and if the reports are to be believed, they are set to sign Nepalese leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane for one of the two vacant overseas spots.

Hobart Hurricanes BBL 10 squad (so far):

Tim Paine, Wil Parker, D’Arcy Short, Matthew Wade (c), Nick Winter, Mac Wright, Scott Boland, Tim David, Jake Doran, Nathan Ellis, James Faulkner, Peter Handscomb, Dawid Malan (ENG), Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, David Moody, Mitch Owen

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